NurseShay

You are actually not suppose to be able to easily feel your port. Its supposed to be completely under your fat tissue & jus beneath the muscle. If you've got a band its likely you've got a bit of belly fat too so feeling your port should be pretty hard to the untrained touch! You may never feel your port until you're at the ideal body weight for your height & that's actually quite thin! In which case when it pokes out visibly or uncomfortably you'd likely get a port revision and have a 'low profile' port implanted in a more meaty area so that you will once again be unable to feel your port. As a nurse most of my patients can't fathom how I find a good vein for an IV or catheterize someone, some people can't even find their own pulse. But your doctors done this many times before he's trained to use palpation techniques to locate things underneath the surface so you'll be alright don't worry! Congrats on your successful surgery!

During my pre op therapy consultation my psychiatrist told me that was EXACTLY what my problem is. If somethings there I'm going to eat it. For one I'm cheap! And the cheaper the food the less the quality. I also had the 'you'll sit at the table for 8hrs straight or however long it takes you to finish your meal' kind of parenting. At my grandmothers funeral 2 weeks ago this was humorously mentioned in the eulogy by every child & grandchild (who btw are all overweight or obese). I remember spending an entire weekend with the same plate of cold eggs & grits that I refused to finish. Old habits die hard- or they'll be the death of you! I know I will never enter a buffet again because if I pay $20 or $30 I'm going to want my moneys worth!! Food is a lot of things to me right now that I know it shouldn't be. Maybe one day new habits will change that perspective for me. For now I order in small portions from the healthy side of the menu -just in case I induldge more than I should. Can't eat what isn't there!

I've heard the alcohol tolerance is gone too! Probably due to the empty stomach we now have & never did before. And the fact that by the time we're back on normal foods & even considering a beer we're probably a lot smaller than the last time we took some to the head! All the qualities to make us quite the light weight. I still would avoid any carbonation though, although I usually never would pass up a cold beer its really not worth another surgery or complications from a slipped band or stretched pouch! Id op for a shot of patron. At least its few calories & gets the job done! Ha

I am still a pre bander & I'm due for mine this weds so I understand your fears. For the last yr I was so sure I wanted this & between the pre op diet & the idea that all this is real & this is my last Sunday, Monday, Tuesday to be the regular me that I know has been scaring me too! but like racer said its really time for me to stop the excuses & stop sabotaging my own life. I put off everything health related for fear of even knowing & yet I'm scared of death. I laugh at myself for being so full of contradictions. What with being a nurse & probably having worst health at the age of 25 than many of my middle age & geriatric patients with an excuse! I read a lot of what is on this forum- that thread about embarassing moments as a fat person really got to me! Its all so true & so sad the things we have to go through to lead a fat exsistence. Not that a little meat is bad but if it was just a little we wouldn't be candidates for the band. So my best advice would be to just remember why you're doing this & all the things you will be leaving behind. Think about the promising future you're headed into & all the things you've always wanted to do, see or wear! Be excited to meet the real you, the person you always knew was there but people couldn't see. It took years to get into this & in just a few days you'll soon be on the other side of the obesity debate. Stay positive & prayerful! I hope your surgery is fast & smooth!

Jaxie I feel your pain! This weekend has been soo hard for me! I'm rationalizing that it'll be easier when I'm banded & actually will feel full off this 'junk' & that it won't just be up to my own will power when the band doesn't allow me to eat what I can't! Like I said yesterday I'm fighting that head hunger. I have a little booklet the nutritionist gave me with all the restaurant & fast food guides showing what I can eat post surgery @ each- all the low cal low fat, low sodium high protein items- literally just 1 or 2 items per place. And definitely not the items I would normally have chosen. But even that looked better to me than a darn shake. I spoke to my doc yesterday he said many ppl feel too hungry & they have to eat on the pre op diet- I've read a lot of ppl are doing medifast meals- id take even that! My diet was solely liquids. I need to chew!! Anyways he warns to make it a healthy small portion- something like a side salad with light dressing if I do venture off course. And to still keep the calories between 800-1200 & drink a lot of plain water when you do! But yes I find myself hopping on my stationary bike with guilt if I do anything too! Sandi thanks for the info & yes I've read much of your blogs & your story too. That's amazing that you got down so far & kept it off for so long! I am more & more confident that this is the best $ ill ever spend. I imagine that's a cycle of fears we'll always have, will this work for me, will I lose as much as I want/need to & will I manage to maintain the loss? But faith without work is dead so I'm more than willing to do my best to get the results I'm after. Thanks for the support! To my april 14th ladies just 3 more days!

Wow we're entering our big week! Just wanted to check in with you ladies! Jaxie I know how you feel I went to a billiards center fri night & everyone was passing around nachos & pitchers of beer. I tried to be happy sipping my crystal light! Truly is a lifestyle adjustment. I found myself not wanting to go out because I've never known fun without including eating & drinking. Crzytchr thanks for the info and black bean soup does sound tasty! I did read some of Amys blog and you're right she's quite a character! I am using it as a mind occupier! As I find myself for one of the first times since starting the pre-op diet truly fighting the battle of mental hunger! Stomach isn't growling but boy my mind sure is screaming!!! Everything & anything looks good. Cartoon food looks delectable even. Lol So that's my issue for the day! Anyways I'm very excited the big day is almost here. What time of day are you all having your surgery on the 14th?? Ill be in at 7am! Id like to make it on & update you all if I can! Hope everyones having a great weekend!

Mamadot thanks for starting this thread reading it really helped me finalize & feel confident with my decision to go ahead with this surgery. And congrats on your awesome weightloss victory. You are a true testiment to what the lap band can do. =)

Hi stephanie! Just ran across your intro & wanted to bump you up! I hate seeing that no one has commented on a post! There's so muchto read on here though. =) so welcome to the forum & congrats on the decision to take this journey with us. I'm so sorr to hear that you've had trouble with your fertility treatments. I have a co-worker that also tried for a few years & had no luck until about 3yrs ago & now she has twin boys! =) I pray everything works out for you! The band truly is a great first option with it being less invasive & more suitable for someone gearing up for baby! =) remember persistance is key when it comes to the insurance companies! And appeals DO work for many people. So welcome to the forum you definitely will 'fit in' here with no problem! Good luck on your approval & diet! Many blessings to you & your future family. ~Shay

Hi rain! Don't be too hard on yourself this can be a scary & unnerving decision to make for anyone! I still find myself looking for reasons to doubt the band, my surgical team & my own ability to successfully navigate this journey. Its a serious decision that requires your full understanding, trust & commitment. Don't feel rushed. And its awesome that you are trying out the lifestyle change before being banded! I'm sure it will make your transition easier for you. Anyone who can do a liquid diet is a martyr for weight loss in my book! =)) so welcome back & good luck with your journey wether you choose to be banded or not! =) ~Shay

Hi Sophie! Congrats on the start of your journey. Don't be too hard on yourself for letting your weight go during your stessful time- we've all been there before & we all have to start somewhere! This forum is really helpful & the people on it are truly compassionate & empathetic. Sometimes a thread has a slow start so I like to bump them up by commenting. So best wishes & good luck with all your pre-op appts & a speedy approval! ~Shay

Hi I just noticed your post & wanted to bump it up because I think its a good topic for people to think about! I'm a pre-bander so you'll probably have more luck posting in the post banded section to hear from veterans. But I just wanted to comment generally that having this or any lifestyle change should cause you to first realize why & what triggers your dependent qualities that first led you to need the comfort of food- and now which ever 'addiction' that you say is unhealthy for you. In your case food may not really be the culprit but a cover up for the emotional baggage you carry. The band may help you stop overeating & thus save your life (from the physical & emotional side effects of being obese) but it can't save you from whatever emotional burdens you carry if you don't address them & figure out WHY you need a vice. Trading an unhealthy addiction for another is worthless to your mission for an overall heathier life & body. I would really suggest tracking your behaviors & trying to figure out what it is that makes you turn to your new addiction as you once did food. Unsettled grief? Family or work stress? Relationship insecurities? Unsettled childhood issues? Image distortion? To name a few. Maybe talking to a unbias professional would help? Not to go all Dr. Phil on you but I think its important for you to get to the bottom of why you sub-conciously try to sabotage your health with addiction as you self proclaim to be doing. For me personally what put me on a major down spiral weight wise was the unexpected death of my fiance- though he was 3weeks out deployed he did now make to any combat zone he mysteriously died a traumatic death in thailand while their unit was on 'libetery' (like a mini vacation). This put the nail in my coffin for binge eating & the start of my drinking. I could never have moved on to a healthier lifestyle without figuring out that anytime I heard the word 'marine' or 'thailand' or 'balcony' I felt I needed a big bowl of pasta & a cranberry & vodka! Then with my lack of self esteem I was sure id never find another person to love & support me at my size even then (60lbs lighter). My issue was pretty evident yours may not be but its in your best interest to work on it at least. You've taken a huge step in the right direction to reclaim your life & its wonderful & commendable that you did so don't let this awesome opportunity at a higher quality of life & a LONGER life allude you by trading for other unhealthy addictions. You deserve a shot at life so I hope you're able to get it all figured out! You're definitely in my prayers. Best wishes.

Thanks for the insight crzytchr! I think for the first yr while I learn to change my habits ill want that restriction. Normal foods are what got me into this situation.lol But yeah I understand we should stop when we're satisfied not just full. =/ Well I finished my pre-op yesterday and am 'officially' on the pre-op diet even though I started Monday on my own. I fasted 24hours on accident I ate last at noon tues & then was suppose to fast for bloodwork that night anyways & went from work (graveyard shift) straight to the doc's appt so my blood sugar was very low- literally that's how it read: low!haha But other than that everything went fine and I am down 5lbs from last wk! =) my surgeon, Dr Martinez is very nice & personable so I'm much more confident now. I grilled him with questions about his technique & routine discharge instructions so much he eventually said 'you must be a nurse' lol. I left from there & stocked up on vit. Water, broths, Protein shots, boost & slim fast shakes etc. Preparing for the next few weeks. I read so many horror stories about the gas so I bought gas-x strips & a heating pad too! I'm soo ready to get this show on the road! Less than a week now! Yay!

Finished up my pre-op today was quite easy and day 3 of pre-op diet is easier than I expected!This is all becoming soo real! =) Good luck with your pre-op tomorrow Bel let us know how it goes!

Welcome bel! I know how you feel this is an overwhelming experience. I too am self pay and yes our process is A LOT quicker than what those whose insurance covered it is. Its almost too quick so be sure to read a lot of the diff topics in the forum they're really helpful with answering just about every question you have & even some you didn't think of asking! I read these religously now. I will be banded in one week & my initial consultation was exactly a week ago. On the one hand its great that since your self pay you get to go at the pace you want but its also a business & surgeons are geared to make that sale so be very careful & read all the find print! Try to get as much included in your programs price as possible. Shoot for at least 6mts to a yr of included follow up & fills. And if at all possible coverage for revisions for a year also. My doc does all the pre-op in a day. Granted its a very long day! About 5 hours for me to have a consult with the nutritionist, therapist & surgeon. Have some bloodwork done & a stress test. The EKG is a very simple procedure don't worry. They're just making sure your heart is fit for the 'trauma' surgery can be. there's different kinds of stress tests either you're given something to simulate excercise & the effect on your heart or they'll hook you up to the ekg and have you power walk/jog on a treadmill to test your heart health. Provided all your numbers are good- and as self pay they're usually ready to go since they don't have to get clearance from your insurance. Once you do that your doc will schedule your surgery & typically that's within a few weeks. Once again for me it was just 2 weeks. My doc does only 1 week of pre-op liquid dieting but I've read many do 2 weeks. Whichever the case the next step is your 'B-day'!!! So the process could be anywhere from a week to their next available surgery date. You could be banded before May!! So read up & get comfortable here... and congrats on your first step to your new life! =)

Thanks girl55 I was really hoping someone banded would address that issue of fullness! That's comforting to know you actually feel a difference having the band in place before even a first fill. And wow 16lbs in 3 weeks is awesome you're doing well keep up the good work!

=) congrats!!! It is soo exciting when you get your date! Its like having a new birthday! You will do great!

Thanks jaxie! I'm actually doin pretty good now with the pre-op diet. Seems like a mental thing for me to tell myself I'm 'drinking' enough calories to survive and that's all food is spose to be about. I'm fasting tonight tho for bloodwork tomorrow. The medical director @ my banding center called me at 10pm tonight! That threw me off but he was jus reminding me to fast & to come early to meet with my surgeon before he was tied up in surgeries. So now I really feel like this is all really happening. Just one more week! I'm soo excited. I haven't gotten to track my weight- I still don't own a scale! So it'll be interesting what it says tomorrow. Keep up the good work everyone! =)

I really researched the LAP-BAND® & realize band and my opinion is if you know you're a person with initiative & you have at least a little will power id choose the band over irreversible surgery. That's a final option! At least with the band you are left with choices if its not working for you. The band does require will power, effort & work on the behalf of the patient. On the lapband websites you do see those 40-60% excess weight loss stats but that's because that's the average. Some ppl lose it all and even surpass their goal weight while others yoyo as if the band isn't even there. Not in the least to undermind those peoples struggles who have little success with the band but you can't argue that lowering you kcal intake & increasing your kcal burning with excercise ultimately will equal weight loss. But some people are asking the band to do what it can't do which is do it for them. Some of us just need more help than others. I can tell you- from being a nurse- doctors, therapists & the like are just people with specific education. That doesn't mean we aren't prone to judge or be bias. We are taught in school how to predict & assess people by every streotype from their education level, gender, religion, race & yes even weight. This is how we are able to treat people individually according to their needs because as we all on this forum are aware- one size does not fit all. So a lot of times when doctors are making suggestions like such its because they're assuming unless you have some thyroid condition and you have a high BMI that you're more than just obese- you lack self control. I have a BMI of 51 so trust me I know that's not always the case. But it is their job to encourage you into the treatment that best suits your needs. And a lot of times its a test of commitment when a MD has you lose X amount of weight before banding you. Because for all intents & purpose the pre-op testing that clears you- saying your body & heart is fit to endure the procedure is all it medically takes to wheel you into the OR. But when you have a doctor that doesn't believe in you the only way to get what you want is to be persistant or better yet find a doctor that empathsizes. Although from some of the fail stories on here its clear some people give these doctors reason to believe that some of us lack the commitment to make this tool work. Its a catch 22! I think if you're someone who's issue is walking away from the table the band will work for you because of the portion control element. But if you're a grazer or emotional eater who eats mini bags of junk food all day & refuses to excercise then it probably won't work for you and you should look into other wls options. Just keep in mind that its your body, your time & money so it is ultimately your decision.

Congrats on your approval! Persistence is key! Your well on your way now. Good luck to you!

Wow. Wow, wow, wow! I just read every post on here & though I don't know any of you I feel so bonded with you because we share the same fears, insecurities & even sad or embarassing memories. The last few days I have been really torn about this surgery. Afraid of the risks & complications. I'm a week away from being banded & can't wait to leave all these sad stories in my past. I feel for each & every one of you. Marilou your list had me laughing & crying. I've experienced all of these things from the snide comments from strangers, hurtful family members (which oddly enough were obese too!), the breaking chairs & inability to ride rollercoasters. I read someones post about being in their early 20s & feeling alienated from all the things our age grroup does. I feel your pain! My elder fam members never neglect to tell me ill never be a bride if I don't shed the pounds. And going to a bar/club is like going to the dentist! Painful! Find yourself being the purse holder or the butt of the infamous 'my friend wants to dance with you' joke with the guy looking totally mortified. Oh how I've been there! Its also fun when you do date someone goodlooking you get the constant 'hes just using her' or 'hes going to come to his senses' comments. And if one more person tells me I have such a pretty face ill scream!!! My plane story: Last week I flew 4 planes- I have to ride first class to avoid buying 2 seats in coach. The extension I finally got the nerve to ask for after we had some awful terbulance on one of those mini jet planes- that don't have 1st class seats! I usually take a throw blanket & pretend to be asleep at take off & landing so they won't question me. But here I thought id out smarted them being in 1st class... to find that the wonderful meal I wouldn't be able to eat becuz the tray table comes from your arm rest & slides in front of you much like those desk/chair combos someone mentioned. Well first I couldn't see past my chest to find it so the nice man next to me pulled it out only to find it wouldn't come down! The skinny stewardess stood there in front of the whole plane acting as if she couldn't go on to the next row until we figured something out & finally asked me did I jus want the hamburger to hold then. The man next to me seemed to empathsize & request my food be placed on his tray. Trying to forfeit the attention I declined but he insisted so I inhaled the burger that I had no appetite for & quickly rang for them to take it away. These older business suit passengers in 1st class looked at me like I had no business there. So embarrassed that 3hr flight felt like an eternity. Fatbottomgirl- you are not alone! I often wonder why scrubs run so darn small when half the staff is overweight?! I have split so many of those flimsy scrub bottoms that I simply wear jogging pants instead now. I recently enlisted my mother to make my scrub tops because my 46F chest requires room to breath! Scrub material is unforgiving- especially when you sit down. =/ 8 more days until I'm banded! I'm sooo ready for to start my new life!

Wow congrats to all you guys for going through with your surgeries & doing so well! Lynh no pain that's really impressive! I can only hope mine goes as smoothly next week. Hope you all continue to progress nicely! Lori good luck tomorrow! I'm sure your hubbys just as anxious as you.

Ok Jaxie 'tomorrow' has come & I am famished. I guess the fact that I work nights isn't helpful since its rather slow and the nurses station stays looted with Snacks. I'm trying to keep my eye on the prize though! I defintely am in the 'feelin like I'm goin to die' phase that Purple spoke of!haha But I'm entering day 2 now. Tomorrow night I'm fasting for the pre-op bloodwork as well so I'm really expecting the headaches. =/ no pain no gain though! Its almost that time this is all worth it. Hi Lydia its nice to hear from you & always good to meet a fellow nurse. The liquid diet for me consists of Protein shakes, Water & crystal light. From what I've read here different doctors implement different diets but all pretty much want low calories & high protein & dominately liquids only. Although I've seen some posts where people had no liquid diet before surgery, or only if your BMI was high. The norm I saw is a 2 wk liquid diet however mine is just 1 week. So it varies! I can't lie... its not the easiest diet I've ever tried but the prize is when you're done you're banded! =)

Wow well thank you to everyone for all the responses. I had the time to speak with my surgeon and he told me basically the same info you all are saying. Its minimally invasive, its a cheaper way to do the proedure with the hospital staying adding about 5-7k to the bill & also because its safer in that you dont run the risk of contracting MRSA, who someone on this thread listed. But of course I am to stay long enough to recover from anesethia, do a barium swallow & all that so Im more comfortable with the idea. Ofcourse it doesnt hurt that I do live down the street from Grossmont/Sharps hospital & I am a nurse so Ill know the S/Sx of get up and get to the ER! =) So thank you all for replying to me.

Haha idk about all so-cali being skinny! I'm scheduled for my banding on the 14th at the gastric banding center in kearny mesa. Its a outpatient center specializing in only lap bands & I understand they also perform cosmetic surgeries for weight loss patients. Where did you have yours done?

Hmm well that's an interesting turn of perspective. I can certainly understand Spartan's point of view and that was my main reason for posting the question. But I am given some confidence that some of you have been through out patient procedures & are doing well...