hls50

Hi Shira and September Bandsters Shira, how is the liquid diet going? I leave on Saturday for a cruise with my husband and Son, I get back two days before my pre-op with the Nutrionist and the Dr., I will start my liquid diet the next day when I get back. I'm really going to watch what I eat on this cruise, it' would be great to come back and have lost a pound or two. I can't beleive some of us are only a little over 3 weeks away from our surgery!!! I don't know about you guys, but now that its getting so close, it's on my mind constantly..... Hope all is well with everyone.

Uggggg, this is such a hot spot with me as well. I fly all the time and I know I have to go through the same process all the time. I fly United a lot and they have seats in the front half of the plane that you have to pay extra for to get extra leg room. I usually end up paying for the seats in the front row or the exit rows because they have sides on the seats and you can't "overflow" into the other person's seat next to you. This is very uncomfortable as you can imagine, I also have to walk on to the plane and look the stewerdess in the eye and wisper for the extender. Only once in all the time I have flown did I get someone who I felt was judgeing me. On Southwest I always pay the extra $10.00 per flight to get the "A" seating. I always go directly to the back of the plane. People usually don't want the back so the front and middle will fill up first and sofar I have been lucky enough get a seat with no one in the middle. Having to think about this every time I fly is EXAUSTING!!! I can NOT WAIT till this is no longer an issue for me. I am actually flying with my husband and son on Saturday and I will need to ask for one. My surgery is Sept. 11th and the next time I fly after that is Oct. 31, don't know if that will be enough time to lose enough to not need the extender, but I know that time will be coming, I just need to be patient. I can't tell you how many times I wanted to take the extender with me.......I had no idea you could actually buy one, I sure would have done that not to suffer as much as I have, but have no plans of worrying about buying one now, it's just a matter of time. Love hearing the stories of those who no longer need them......I will cry when it happens to me!!!as

That is exciting news!!! That was the best call I got during my whole process........after all the tests, the dr. appointments, it was so exciting!! Don't let anyone's negative comments distract you. I'm sure you did all your research before you started this process. I personally know two people who have been banded, two and three years out and both are doing great!!! All the best to you. My surgery isn't until Sept. 11th......so I will be looking forward to hearing how well your surgery went

Hi, I have a question. My surgeon is doing what he calls the " i band " which he expalins as a lap band, and then he inverts your stomach and sews it so it looks like "the sleeve" when he is done. Is this official term Lap band with Plication? Thanks!

I go to a LB support group twice a month. My leader is somewhere in her 50's and she had herLB surgery about 1 1/2 years ago. She has lost over 180 lbs!!! She works out 5 times a week, journal's her food and has followed all the suggestions by her surgeon. ( I am suing the same surgeon ). I went to two different seminars with two different surgeons. I choose this one becuase he really went over all three procedures, LB, Bypass and Sleeve. Explained in detail positives v. negatives for all. When you complete your paperwork you have to explain in writing, which procedure you chose and why. It couldn't hurt to check out another surgeon. If you have decided that the Lap Band is what you want, then you can be as successful as you want! Just make sure you have 100% comfort level with your surgeon......keep us posted!

Best wishes to all of you having surgery tomorrow!!! Don't foget to let us all know how it went and how your doing!!! I'm sure everything will be great......4 weeks behind you all and counting.

Anyone in my husbands family would be the last people I would tell. They all have issues with overweight people and I would get the never ending question "how much weight have you lost", fortunately they live in a different state and I have told them I am having a hernia fixed, which I am. My girlfriend had her LB surgery just about two years ago. I was one of a very few people she told. She only started telling people she had had WLS after she had lost most of her weight and only if she was going to be in eating situations with them. Otherwise If people asked, she would tell them healthy eating and exersice, which is true. Even though you can counter any negative comment made with a positive one, I choose to tell only those who are worthy enough to share in my most personal decision to date. Disney Nut, follow your instincts........Come on September!!!!!

what are you talking about, you are inspireing me!!

Congrats on your year anniversary, you have done amazing!!! My BFF had her lap band done two years ago and she has not had any problems with slipage. You will be fine!! Unless your dr. has given you some reason to worry about it, don't........ Keep up the good work. I get banded on Sept. 11th, I have also waited two years, maybe that's how long it takes your mind to wrap itslef around the idea......lol. Best wishes for a great second year!!!

Really, don't know why that would happen. Slojo67 started the group, I will send her a message and ask if there is a password. If you can get on a computer you shouldn't have any trouble getting to the group. I will let you know when I hear back from her.

Hi Shira, congrats on your surgery date. I'm one day after you on the 11th. I hope your insurance approval comes quick for you. You should join the September bandsters group. If you go to groups at the top of the page and then new groups you will find us. All of our surgeries are close together!!! Keep us updated on your approval...

Congratulations on your approval!!! I'm only 4 days after you on the 11th!! Are you an hospital overnighter or do you get to go home the same day? You should consider joining the September bandsters group. At the top of the page, go to groups, then new groups and you will find it. I can see how it's nice to keep in touch with people who are having surgery around the same time you are. Cheers!!

My surgeon dosen't require you to lose weight before your surgery, just to do a 10 day pre-op diet that will shrink your liver so it's easier to get to your stomach. It's liquid only like most and very specific as to what protein shakes you can have. I can also have Sugarfree/Fatfree popsicles and jello. My surgery is on Sept. 11th and I guess I will start on the 1st of September. I already know it's going to be tough, but I can do it for 10 days to finally have my surgery.........

This is such a personal decision...... I have decided not to tell many people at all. My husband, Son , my bestfriend. Everyone has so many opinion's about surgery and I personally just don't want to deal with what other people might think. Plus there is the never ending "how much weight have you lost?" and "are you supposed to be eating that?". If your already feeling hesitant about telling them then follow your gut,(no pun intended) and wait. As far as the liquid diet is concerned, you can just tell them you are drinking Protein shakes during the day and only eating one meal at night, just a suggestion. You will figure out what the best thing for you is to do :-) Just curious, why did you have your gallbladder out? Were you having problems with it?

Hi slojo67, Nice to meet you. My dear friend had her surgery in Mexico, it will be 2 years sept. 7th. She is doing great, she lives in Canada, where I used to live. He brother had his surgery in Mexico a year before her. I was considering going to Mexico until my insurance changed their policy and so now I'm having it here. My situation is a little different becuase I had had my stomach stapled in 1984 when that procedure was just new, and had to have it reversed in 1986 due to complications. So I had to have a lot of extra testing, like the EDG, upper GI so my dr. could see what my stomach looks like. He is 95% sure he should not have a problem doing my surgery, but there is always that chance when he gets in there he can't. So I won't know for sure till I wake up, but he assures me that he wouldn't even be attempting it if he didn't think he could do it. He just has to give me all the seneros......you know. Anyway, I am very excited about getting this done. When do you leave for Mexico? Who is going with you?

Hi, I know a lot of you went in the morning, had surgery and went home later that day but my insurance insists that I be in the hosptial at least overnight. How was the hospital stay? Did anyone have to stay more than one night, if so, what happened? Thanks

Thank you for all the stories, this really helps me to know what to expect. Much appreciation!!!

I had to have an EDG, and upper GI, Heart Scan Calcium Test, Stress Test, Pulminary stress test, see a cardiologist for surgery release, Echocardiagram, Psyh. eval, nutrionist twice, blood work, chest x-ray. I think everyones journey is slightly different. It's a lot of work to get to the end of that tunnel, but you will get there. Just go through the process and put a check mark when you complete each requirement. It all made my insurance approval go very quickly. Got approval in less than a week. My surgery is scheduled for Sept. 11th!!! Don't let it get you down, it will be worth all your time. Keep us posted.

Congrats!! I'm a week behind you, I'm on Sept. 11th. I'm actually going on a cruise 2 weeks before my surgery, this was planned way before I got going on this. I get back from the cruise and have to start my liquid diet. What about you? When do you have to go on yours? Do you have to have a hospital stay?