va_viv

Hey girl! I can definitely relate. I have a large family and would only hear that I was being lazy and that I can do it myself just put some effort into it...it was a struggle. I was just banded on the 6th and I have lost a total of 24 lbs so far. YAY! I KNOW I couldn't have done it without the band. My decision to have the surgery was only shared with 4 people, mom, sister, sister's hubby, and my boyfriend...the only people I KNEW would be supportive, never judged me and encouraged me all the way. It has definitely been a struggle, with the liquid diet and the surgery itself but I got through it and for once in my life I think that I am finally truly proud of myself, and I KNOW I can do it. I wish you tons of luck and just know that if you're dedicated and are willing to work at it you'll be successful. One day at a time. :smile:

Hey guys! I'm 8 days post-op, and I'm doing great. The gas has been hard from time to time but nothing that's to hard to handle. I came back to work on Tuesday...so far so good. I had my post-op appt yesterday and I've lost 20 lbs so far. YAY! I was told I can start working out on the treadmill/elliptical, still no ab work for another 6 weeks. I'm also going to mushies on Saturday....and what a relief! I've been on a liquid diet for over 2 1/2 weeks and I'm sooooo over it. My appetite is coming back and it's getting harder and harder sticking to liquids. That's it, just wanted to check in. Good luck peeps.

I would love to join you all. I was just banded Oct 6th and have yet to sit down and set goals...will definitely do that tonight and get back to you on how much I want to lose. Good luck with everything guys!

Congrats everyone! I hope everyone continues doing great! I'm 6 days post-op and feeling great. I came back to work today. :smile2: I really didn't want to but I needed too. I'm still on my liquid diet 4 days to go and I can't wait. I'm so OVER it at this point. I did 2 wks prior to surgery so needless to say I'm def over it. :tt2:

WOW! You look great! Congrats!!!

Wow I wish I had support groups as great as you guys. The support groups that my surgeons office offers are great except for the fact that 99% of people that go are bypass-ers. There was only 1 bandster there. I'll have to do some searching online.

Wow that's a lot. I was just told to eat whenever I want and I can eat creamy soups, SF jello & popcicles and of course water and 2 protein shakes are a must. Maybe you should call the nutritionist they would definitely be able to tell you how to tailor it because it really does seem impossible. Good luck!

Ladybug I was just able to take a shower. I had to wait 72 hrs after surgery....uggh, I hated it and it was the best shower ever! lol Everything is going fine with me but I HATE HATE HATE the gas, I previous had my gallbladder removed and I didn't have this much gas pain. I feel like I have to burp but it doesn't come out and it hurts. I guess there could be worse things. I can't wait to be able to sleep like a normal person. LOL My incisions are starting to itch which is a good thing I guess...yay for starting to heal. I have a total of 5 incisions. YES 5!! WTF? 2 of them are about 2 inches long, one of them is for my port and the other one I have no idea what it's for. The other 3 are less then 1/2 an inch. Anywho, hope everyone is still doing good. Good luck with everything.

Hey guys! I'm back and banded! YAY! Was banded on Wednesday. Everything went really well and I was able to leave that same day. I feel great, not really sore. I woke up from surgery with really bad back pain, they told me it was the gas. As soon as I could get up and walk I did. I walked 3 out of the 4 hrs I was in "recovery". It helped A LOT. Nights are kind of bad because I'm not one to sleep on my back or sleep sitting up for that matter but I guess it comes with the territory. I'm glad everyone is doing well. Congrats on the new October bandsters. Can't wait to hear about your journey. :biggrin:

Congrats! I hope you have a speedy recover. I'm getting banded tomorrow...eeek! I'm a bit nervous. :thumbdown: We're in the same boat! I wonder the very same things. LOL

Hi! I'm getting banded tomorrow and reading that you're doing well made me calm down a bit. Congrats on getting banded! Much luck and success to you! I hope you have a speedy recovery! :thumbdown:

Tomorrow is my day too and I'm feeling the exact same way. My hands are hurting from being cold. So weird! Well, just wanted to wish you good luck and I KNOW everything will go well. I hope we get some sleep tonight! lol:thumbup:

Hey! I'm sorry you had to go through that. It's hard enough to make this decision without having someone else, who is suppose to be there to help you and guide you, knock it down and make you second guess yourself. I agree that was extremely unprofessional. All I can do is tell you why I chose lap band, getting banded tomorrow...YAY. The main thing that attacted me to the lap band was, like you mentioned, the slow weight loss. With the band I feel that you have to change your life FROM THE BEGINNING or you won't be successful. You are learning to eat better and completely change your unhealthy eating habits in order to lose the weight. With the bypass you are almost guaranteed to lose the weight..so it's kinda backwards. You lose a ton of weight then to maintain you must learn to eat better? Doesn't really make sense to me. If a bypass patient doesn't learn to change their habits they'll gain all the weight back. You will notice that there are several bypass peeps on here getting banded on top of their bypass because they have been unsuccessful. I'm not talking bad about them or am saying that they all were unsuccessful due to eating bad..but it happens. My other concern was loose skin. I'm 25 yrs old and I frankly don't have money to be getting plastic surgery. I want to be able to lose weight slow enough for my skin to catch up. I'm not saying that noone has loose skin I'm just saying it's almost a guarantee with the bypass (speaking from experience, I know many bypass people). Lastly, the re-routing of my insides is something that doesn't sound very appealing. I want to get help without having to change my insides. I hope that helps. Think long and hard about this because I know it's a tough decision. Just know that if you're dedicated you'll definitely be successful in which ever surgery you choose, just make sure it's your decision and don't let anyone (like that stupid psych) change it. You'll KNOW when you choose the right one. Tons of luck to you!! :tongue2:

You think so? Cool! Well, I'll make sure to take it with me just in case. THANKS!

My name is Vivian (everyone: Hi Vivian) and I am a (regular) coke addict. I love love love love love coke. I used to drink it mostly during my meals. I had to give it up for my pre-op diet which wasn't hard because I wasn't eating just drinking my liquids. HOWEVER, I never really got a chance to practice the "don't eat and drink" rule. I've always been one that has had to drink and eat. :/ SO, I will be having a crash course on what that feels like. Wish me luck! lol Good luck with the withdrawls I'm sure it'll get A LOT better.

Tomorrow is the day. I'm slightly freaking out now. I'm SUPER nervous. I've had 2 previous surgeries and I don't think I was as nervous as I am for this one...or maybe I don't remember being this nervous. But..I'm trying to control myself and have happy thoughts! To make things worse I broke my cpap machine's hose last night. LOL I must of had a fight. I really hate that thing and I haven't used it much. The dr said my sleep apnea is so mild that I shouldn't have gotten one...but nonetheless, the hospital requires you to bring it for surgery (I guess for when you're asleep in recovery). I don't know who to call to get a replacement hose. What to do what to do. I'm sure it's to late to get a replacement, I'll just have to take it and show them that it's broken. Oh wells! Good luck BostonPA and everyone else getting banded today and tomorrow. Eekkkk! We're almost there!

Hey! How excited. I understand the pre-surgery jitters...I'm right behind you, getting banded on Wednesday. Just remember why you're doing this and you will calm down. Tons of luck to you and I hope you have a speedy recovery!!

I know most surgeons have seminars that they put on and most surgeons won't see you unless you've attended one of those seminars. I'm not sure about everyone else but I didn't need to go to my personal dr before going to the surgeon's seminar. After attending the seminar I set up an appt with the surgeon and was ordered to get a medical clearance from my personal dr, that's the only time I saw my personal dr regarding the band. Other insurance companies may require you to get referred by your personal dr before hand. That being said, it might be completely different in your situation because you're a minor. I'm assuming you're under one of your parents insurance, you might want to get that parent to call their insurance company to verify what you have to do. Hope that helps. Good luck

Hey Boston! I know how you feel..getting banded on Wednesday..I keep asking myself "ok are you ready? are you ACTUALLY ready?" I'm freaking myself out, makes no sense. Be sure to write about your surgery day and how you're doing. TONS of luck to you! We'll be praying for your speedy recovery!