Sun Rae

No NSV too small! Congratulations!

How exciting! Good for you!

Great topic. Reading all of the responses has brought tears to my eyes. I don't know why I didn't consider LapBand a long time ago. I feel like I have missed out on so much of my life - especially with my children. There are so many things that I would not/could not bring myself to do 65 lbs ago... I only flew when I absolutely had to. There were certain restaurants that I would not go to because I knew I could not fit in a booth. Having my picture taken. I have so many pictures of my kids growing up and I am in so few of them. Never went to any class reunions. I was always the perky little cheerleader and was so ashamed of what I had become. Could not cross my legs. Hated having to get my hair done because the cape never really fit around my neck, and my behind certainly didn't fit in the chair. As much as I love fishing with my husband, I hated getting in the boat because there was this glaring little reminder that the weight capacity of the boat was 600 lbs, of which I was almost half. Never ever went to office Christmas parties. Never went to the beach, even though I absolutely love it I would not dare wear a pair of shorts. Never would be seen in front of another person while wearing a bathing suit. I got the point that I would not even go to church because I felt like everyone was staring at me. The list could go on and on. Pound by pound I am regaining my self confidence and I am loving the way I feel and look. It shows in the way that I dress, the way that I carry myself, the way that I think, and the look on my face. The Corporation that I work for did a write up in the quarterly news letter about safety. My plant manager and I are in the picture for the story. I saw it today for the first time and I was proud of myself for the first time in a long time.

I'm so sorry that you have to hear those things but it's great that you have such a positive attitude. Sometimes family can be more cruel than strangers. My sister could pass for a Kim Basinger look alike. When we go to family reunions I always hear, "Why Pamela, you're just as beautiful as ever! Lisa, I have not seen you in forever. " What the heck?! I have left more than one reunion in tears. Congrats on your success!

Glad to know everything is well. Congrats on your weight loss!

I never thought of it being in my chest/shoulder area either, but the surgeon that I used likes to place them there and the ladies at the Bariatric Institute say they love that he puts his there. Hope your port problems get straightened out.

Congratulations!

The scar is in my underarm area and is barely noticeable. The port is so easy to access. It is so comfortble and I don't even know it's there unless I press down trying to feel it. Hopefully you can connect to this link and hear Dr. Bagnato talk about port placement in this area. Good luck. Let us know how it goes. http://www.palmyrasurgical.com/weight-loss-surgery-georgia/lap-band-adjustments

Congratulations Karen! You are doing great. You're going to love your band.

My port is in the chest area, a few inches below the collar bone. It is so easy to access and I love it there. My surgeon places the port in this area because he says ports are less likely to flip and move because they are in the upper part of the chest where there is hardly any movement as opposed to the abdomen where every time you bend or move, the port has a tendency to wiggle.

It's even the same writing style. Too funny!

Hello! We're practically neighbors! My Dad lives in Albany, but I live near Bainbridge. Dr. Bagnato did my surgery on 10/19. It took me about 4 months to get approved. I had the usual gas pains and soreness after surgery, but I've really felt great. Dr. B left 1.5 cc in my band at the time of surgvery. My first fill was 6 weeks post op (2.5 cc) and my 2nd fill was on Dec 28th (2 cc). I've lost a total of 65 lbs, including the 2 week pre op Sugar Busters diet. Dr. Bagnato is great and I absoluely love my band!

I'm glad you asked this. I also have a 14 cc band. My surgeon left 1.5 cc at the time of surgery (Oct 19th). Six weeks later I had my first fill of 2.5 cc. I really could not tell any difference. I was so hungry and could have ate anything at any time that I wanted, but I managed to stick to the recommended portion sizes. That month was really bandster hell! I had my next fill of 2 cc on Dec 28th and I am starting to feel it. Right now I have 6 cc and I am scheduled for my next fill on Feb 3rd. I'm not as hungry between meals, so I think I'm getting close.

Hi all! I am almost 3 months post op. I had a problem with gas in my chest for almost 2 weeks off and on. I knew the gas would be terrible, but I don't think anything that anyone says can prepare you for it. I agree with the others...walk, walk, walk and Gas X. I also had to sleep in my recliner the first week because I felt like there was so much pressure in my chest when I tried to lay down. It will get better. Hang in there.

I think "fluffytofabulous is now "misty5555555". LOL

Congratulations!

I was on my period when I had my hysterectomy. No problems at all.

I'm glad to see so many responses to this. I too am tired of reading these negative posts about newbies asking questions. It's just plain rude! I was at one time a member of a support group for Moms of Marines. When your son/daughter ships off to boot camp, it is a life changing event for the parents. I'm sure that I asked so many questions that had already been asked and there were so many parents that came back to the "Boot Camp Forum" just to answer the same questions asked over and over by new parents. I am so thankful for that. I feel the same way about this forum because this too is a life changing event. I'm sure I've asked questions that have already been asked 100 times, but I wrote my questions anyway and felt so much support when the experienced bandsters answered. All of you newbies keep asking and if I know I'll answer.

I too must admit that I REALLY need to get a proper measurement and invest in a few new bras. If I raise my arms too far, the girls tend to want to peek out of the bottom of my bra. How pathetic is that?!

Hi Carvey! I was banded on October 19th and so far I only take 2 Flinstones Chewables with Iron every day. I am going to get some of the papaya enzyme tablets to keep with me though. I had my first stuck episode Jan 1st (totally my fault) and it was not a pretty site. I heard the papaya enzyme is supposed to be good for that. I've lost a total of 62 lbs (including my 2 week pre-op diet) and I feel great!

Last week I had my 2nd fill and I now have 6 cc's in a 14 cc band. I've been doing great, but I must admit that I have become a little slack when it comes to taking tiny bites and chewing well. We had a pork loin at lunch today and I ate slowly and was fine. Just a bit ago I decided that I would eat another bite of that pork loin, so I sliced off a bite, popped it into my mouth and proceeded to the laundry room to fold some towels. Before I got from the kitchen to the laundry room I realized that I had made a HUGE mistake. The bite was too large and I did not chew it well enough at all. I spent the next 45 minutes in such excruciating pain and pacing from one end of the house to the other. I finally felt the urge to throw up and that was the most disgusting thing ever! There was so much slime that it was even coming out of my nose. Anyway, the piece of meat came back up and I felt immediate relief. My poor husband and son were so upset. They thought when I said "I'm stuck" that I meant "I'm choking". I assured them that I was not choking and explained to them what "stuck" means. Oh goodness...I don't EVER want to do that again! Lesson learned. For all of you experienced bandsters...Was this a typical stuck episode or was it a little extreme? I need to read back through my literature, but I believe once I have been stuck that I am supposed to go back to liquids for a little while. Is this correct?

You'll do great! I was banded on Oct 19th and you can barely even see my incisions now. As far as the pain...the worst part of if the gas. I don't think anything that anybody says to try to explain it will prepare you for it. Just remember to walk, walk, walk. It really does help the gas pain and pressure tremendously. I too sit at a computer all day (shipping coordinator) and I have done great with my weight loss. I'm down 60 lbs. Just think...tomorrow starts a brand new chapter in your life! Post when you can to let us know how you are doing. I'm excited for you!

Both my surgeon and nutritionist told me to take 2 Flintstones chewables with Iron every day. So far, so good.

I weigh about twice a day and also get those fluctuating weights and it is quite disappointing and discouraging. My husband said he was going to hide the scale from me and bring it out only once a month for me. He tells me that I am too obsessed with it and he's probably right.

@ glam gabbi: Before I had my 2nd fill, I could eat ANYTHING. Since my 2nd fill, I can definitely tell that I have alot more restriction. I haven't tried bread yet because I am afraid of it. They also told me that rice tends to get stuck as well. Have you tried rice? My husband wants me to make him some chicken & rice for lunch today and if I were not still sore, I'm sure I would be tempted to try a bite. I think my biggest problem right now is that I got a little too brave after my first fill. I have been eating too fast, taking bites that are too large and not chewing enough. My nutritionist also told me to put my fork/spoon down between bites while I chew and swallow so that I would not be tempted to take another bite again so quickly and I haven't been doing this either. I definitely learned the hard way yesterday. @bwesley: I have heard of the papaya enzyme tablets, but have not bought any. I live in a very small town that doesn't have a Vitamin shop or health food store, but I will check our try our Wal Mart to see if they carry them. Thanks much!