Search the Community

My name is Augusta. I am 38 years old, happily married for nearly 19 years, a proud mother of a 17 year old boy and a 15 year old girl and I just got banded almost 2 weeks ago. For me it was an easy choice to make. I asked my pcp if there was anything new on the market as far as weight control goes and he told me about the lap band. (I'm a worrier of the worst kind so I don't listen to the news, if you're wondering how I didn't hear of it before now) So, I did the research. By the end of the week I went to a seminar, in another week I was having a consultation with a surgeon, in another week I began my 3 month pre-approval path for my insurance and on August 28th I was banded. I was terrified. Being a worrier, I required valium to get me in the door and cried until the moment I was put to sleep. I had the best surgical nurse ever. She held my hand and whispered in my ear how everything was going to be fine. It was to her voice and my prayers that I went to sleep. Bravo to the Norhtwest Weightloss Surgery team. My doctor, Dr. Montgomery, took very good care of me and I came out just fine. I felt pretty crappy the next morning and for a few days after. I had my gall bladder out almost 16 years ago and there was some scar tissue to deal with causing a bit of pain for me, but now 1 week and 6 days later, I'm feeling pretty good. Still a bit sore, but feeling more human now. Since August 18th, I have lost 20 pounds. Since my banding, I have lost an even 10. 10 pounds in 13 days.....I keep asking myself if I'm dreaming. Saying goodbye to the 290s and the 280s in less than 3 weeks is a bit bizzare for me and I can't shake the feeling it's all not real. I am 273 now and can't wait for the rest to come off. My goal weight is 160. Anyone out there who needs to talk about anything, please feel free to email me. I look forward to building lasting, banded friendships. Augusta

BeautifulME, Congrats on making the decision to get banded. I am divorced and live alone. A friend drove me to the hospital at 5am and I was prepped and sent up to the holding area. Met the anesthesiologist and saw my surgeon again along with his surgical nurse. They started hte meds in my drip and the next thing I knew,,I was in my room. It was about 5pm when I got my senses about me again. I have a low threshold to pain so I wont lie and say it wasnt painful. I punched that PCA button constantly,,lol. Got up and went to the bathroom a few times.Spent the night, got up the next morning, still hurting a bit. Friend came and got me about noon and took me by the pharmacy then home. Be sure to read the list of things to have prior to surgery. I sat in my recliner when I got home and slept alot. Took my pain and nausea pills often. I was able to walk around ok,,the act of sitting and rising was painful at the incision site, but on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the worst, my pain at this time was a 5. Had no problems drinking or swallowing pills. All in all,,my surgery was alot less painful than I had expected. Remember that we each have different experiences. Be sure to do exactly what your surgeon instructs you to do and I'm sure you'll recover just fine! Keep on posting. You are NOT alone! banded 1/29/07 Dr Ken Cleveland-CMMC-Jackson, MS

Thank you so much for the information. Banded 11/08/05 286. 12/19/05 257.4:Bunny

I'm a little hesitate to post this as many still seem to be having issues but here goes: I'm 4 months post op.....down 50 lbs....just had my 3rd fill and feeling good. 4 months for the first 50 and if i can do the next 50 in another 8-10 months I'll be so pleased. Started with a pant size of 48 and just bought a pair of jeans size 40. I'll be in these a while but looking forward to the day i can get into 38's. I haven't been there in years and years. Thanks to all who post and offer support for those of us who read the board.

I had my surgery on November 19, 2008 and I just had my first fill yesterday January 5! The hunger part will get easier! Just hand in there!!

Curvenetics Lip Conditioner exercise · Sit with your body straight, shoulders relaxed and head tilted slightly. · Purse your lips and move them to the right a quarter of an inch ten times. · Repeat to the left ten times. · This exercise smooths the lines between the nose and mouth. And keeps the lips looking full. · Don't move your head. Don't squint. Don't wrinkle face Correcting Flabbiness Under Chin Step 1 Lift chin slightly upward. Step 2 With flat point of index and middle fingers press against indentation (hollow) formed by the two upper nodules of the larynx located at the curve from chin to neck. Do not be concerned in the beginning as to the precise location of pressure which you will discover through practice. Regard finger pressure as the resistance against the working muscles. Step 3 Now press your back teeth firmly together * and while maintaining this position. Step 4 Press the tip of your tongue against the inside of lower front teeth (gum line) increasing pressure with the tip of tongue ** in 10 or more gradual and definite steps (Count to 10). Step 5 Hold end position of pressure for 6 seconds (count slowly to six). Step 6 Release muscle work for 10 gradual steps (count to 10). Step 7 Remove finger resistance. Repeat 4 more times. Also I found this site that looks like it has some good face workouts http://www.carolynsfacialfitness.com/Sample%20Exercise.html

I'm stalled right now and its killing me!!! Its been 10 days since the scale has moved. I'm trying not to get freaked out about it but my inclination is to want to "go on a diet". The whole reason I had the surgery was because obsessive dieting was ruling my life. I really wanted to let go of all that. I would like to eat protien veggies fruit and complex carbs, in that order. After that I just want to trust the sleeve... let go of my obsessive need to diet. I'm sure others feel differently.... they just want to loose the weight and get it over with. That makes sense too, I guess it depends on factors like your reason for having surgery, what your particular mal adaptive thinking patterns are (if any), your BMI, the amount of cravings you have...... etc. Stacey

Connection with the staff is important IMO. I went to one seminar and by the end I wanted to kill the dietician. Not a good sign. I knew I wanted Dr. Cirangle to be my surgeon within about 10 min. of his seminar.

I I had a revision 10 days ago and i cancan't figure out what hungry feels like. Help?

I sound like my 10 yr old

Excited, nervous, slightly scared, but READY!!! I am blessed with a wonderful support system. My husband is on this ride with me and it helps make this process easier. Blessed with awesome kiddos who made me a " Go Mommy!" card for encouragement : ) Spent 3 yrs getting to this point in my life, and I couldn't be more prepared, open and dedicated to this journey! Shout out to Lil' Miss Diva for her support and kind words : ) Sara

Up and down a lot last night still, but I slept better late morning (didn't wake up until 10:30 wow) and now the fever is finally under control. I feel so much better. Thanks for all the 'get well cards'! Sorry for the whinefest...I just felt like a mess that day. Virus in my eye muscles...ewww! -BG

Well, this is my first blog post. I have been visiting this site for the past 2 months studying and researching the Lapband procedure. I am a Christian who knows the healing power of God. I went through a divorce 7 years ago after a 10 year marriage. The main reason for the divorce was my husband's infidelity. However, through the recovery process, I accepted my part in the whole thing. This was mainly co-dependency and putting my husband before my relationship with God. Through Celebrate Recovery, my church and family I have recovered from my divorce by giving God control of my life. I was able to forgive everyone who hurt me, and I have remarried to a wonderful godly man. We adopted our daughter after her family fell apart. She is about to turn 14. However, the one area that I have not been successful giving to God is my issues with food. I have been overweight all of my life. I started dieting in high school and lost a significant amount of weight with diet pills. I was still bigger than my friends, but I would love to be that size today. My weight fluctuated within about 50 pounds until my marriage got really bad. At that time, I see now, that food became my friend. I was lonely and often uncomfortable in my own home. Food became my escape. Now I am about 100 pounds overweight. I am 39, and my health is beginning to suffer because of the excess weight. My Mom has type 2 diabetes and multiple other problems and complications mainly caused from an unhealthy lifestyle. Right now my only problems are PCOS, infertility, and painful knees and feet. I have to make changes now to avoid my Mom's fate. About 3 years ago, I began praying about having lapband surgery. I was in a different place in my life wanting different things. At that time I was desperate, but not really ready to make the necessary lifestyle changes to be successful. I didn't know this at the time, but God did. He did answer my prayer then - with a "No." I then signed up for Weight Watchers again. I was determined to do it. I spent 2 years on the program and only lost about 18 pounds. At least I did not gain over that time. During that time, I did learn that my relationship with food was a problem. I would stick to the plan for a period of time. Then I would have a bad day, special occasion, etc. and lose control. On those days, I never really got full. I undid all the good I did in a few weeks in one day. I prayed for help and started each day fresh, vowing to do better. When I did have these weak moments, I usually didn't realize it in time to ask God for help. I had usually done the damage before I realized it. In October, I attended my 20 year class reunion. I found out that one of my good friends from hgih school had lapband surgery. This really got me to thinking about it, but I still wasn't sure it was right for me. In February, I began praying for God to show me if I should have this surgery. There was a seminar on my anniversary at the end of the month, and I planned to attend unless I felt God telling me "no" again, which I fully expected. Surprisingly, it seems like God has opened up doors since then. I went to the seminar at the end of February and had my first consultation with the surgeon that day. I began the process of seeing my primary care physician, nutritionist, psychologist, etc. All of the paperwork was submitted to the insurance company on April 21. I have talked to the insurance company who said that I have met all the requirements and my letter was in the mail. I hope that means that they will be paying for the surgery. I think I will be responsible for about $1,300, but I have saved that much in preparation for the surgery. I have an appointment with my surgeon on Monday to hopefully to set my date. My big concern now is will I be able to make the necessary diet and exercise changes permanently. I hope that the band will be my backup system. By that I mean, when I get into the situations I described above where I tend to overeat, that the band will be my constant reminder. I have been trying to prepare myself emotionally to let go of food as my friend and escape. I am trying to learn to bring my emotional issues to God (and maybe I can vent them here also) so that I won't need food to comfort me. I so want food to be only nutrition to me. I understand that (at least for me) I have to completely change the way I think about food. I hope the band is the tool that I need to make that change. However, there is also a fear inside of me that says, "I haven't been able to make changes before, can I really do it now?" I guess that is enough about me for now, but I will be back. I have never been one to keep a journal for very long, but I feel like I need to log this journey to be successful. I think it will help hold me accountable.

I was sleeved 10/27. My doc had me start my Vitamins about 2 1/2 weeks post op. I am taking the Bariatric Advantage capsules. I am able to swallow them (they are a little big). I have never been able to swallow pills no matter what size they were. It did take me a few days to figure out what time of day was best for me to take them. I was doing after Breakfast and dinner but found I was waking up in the middle of the night tasting them. yuck!! So now I take them after breakfast and lunch, I find if I take them when there is something in my tummy then all is good. I know there will be people who will have advice for you. I have seen many who have helped so much on here. I just wanted to let you know what worked for me. Hang in there as they days go by it will be easier for your to get your Protein an Water in.

I have 6 pounds to lose to meet my April goal of 10 pounds and 5 pounds to be in ONEderland!!!!!!:clap2: :biggrin1: :biggrin1: :clap2: Be Blessed

I didn't get to ride my bike today....yet. I might try to get it in after hubby goes to bed. I still don't like exercising in front of him. It was a pretty good day. I'm pretty used to not eating much now. In some ways I can see how being on this pre-op diet can be beneficial. Not just because of the weight loss but that when I am banded I'm already used to not eating hardly anything. Here's what I had today: (typical of everyday) whey protein shake 2scoops in 8oz slim milk 2 slimfast shakes (I'm allowed 3 a day but lately have only been drinking 2) 1 1/2 cups broccoli 1 cup butternut squash soup (90 cals) 1 1/2 cups stir fry veggies 1 diet Dr. Pepper That's around 1200 cals. And I'm really not hungry. The first few days of this pre-op diet I ate like three times as many veggies but not anymore. I'm actually not supposed to have soup but I've been eating progresso's hearty tomato and tried this organic squash soup. The squash soup is pretty nasty. I like squash. I've eaten a lot of it the past two weeks but the soup just wasn't right. It smelled like pumpkin pie and tasted like onion, garlic squash. It messed with my senses. I am so ready for my surgery date. Not much longer. I am on the downhill side now at least. Well, Goodnight. Hope everyone is doing good on their journeys!

Merry; I was banded on 8/24/10 by Dr. Zapata in Monterrey, Mx. I'm searching now for a Dr. to do my fills in the Houston/NW Houston area. Before I was banded I did a search and found one on I-10/Katy area, but lost the name and number.:tongue2: So I'm back to square one in my search. If you find someone, let me know, please...and I'll do the same for you... Good Luck! Irene

I had my VSG on 11/19. I lost a good bit of weight for the first 4 weeks or so, but have basically been at the same weight for the last 2.5 weeks. I am eating about 1100 calories per day, getting in 64+ oz of water and hitting my 80+ grams of protein daily. I go to the gym 3 times a week.

Yes. I am 4 days post op and 10 pounds heavier than surgery day. I hope this is temporary, and the weight gain goes away quickly.

Ok, so I was banded 10/21 and I have had success. I've lost 62 pounds. But over the last few weeks I've just stayed at my current weight. I work out 3-5 days a week. I've even changed up the routine but no change. Anyone else experience this? This must be a plateau but it is sooooooooo frustrating!!

I finally posted my Before, During, and almost After pics. Enjoy... Here: http://bandgroupiethesweetspot.blogspot.com/

Congratulations. Doesn't it feel good to lose 100 lbs? I have lost 120 lbs and some days I don't know what to do with myself. Everytime I see the scale go down, down. It is unbelievable. And the hardest part for me is when people notice that I have lost weight. I try not to smile too much. But the smile does come out. Good luck to you and I hope you continue to get to your goal. I have about 10 more to goal but I think I want to lose 20 more.

It's the rapid weight loss that makes gallbladders irritable. Dieting, other WL surgeries, and anorexics all run the risk of gallbladder problems. Fortunately, we who have problems are in the minority, though that's small comfort after you have an attack and surgery. Mine was removed 10 months post-op.

Not only am I at a 9-10 on the pain scale, but I have a dollar size dark purple bruise under my incision. Every time I move, every time I reach... ow. So, my surgical nurse called to check on me, and when I told her how I felt, she informed me that the intense pain was not normal and to contact Dr. Hollis immediately. I called and got Hollis's NP. The NP told me that, since the Lortab Elixar wasn't making a dent, I should try using a heating pad and taking Advil every six hours. Seriously? Heating pad and Advil for pain that makes me wish I'd decided to stay fat?? And do they even read the warning label, because I do. Know what it says... may cause stomach bleeding. Anyone else seeing the problem? I don't know.. I'm walking, I'm moving... not sleeping, but otherwise doing what I'm doing what I'm supposed to do. The gas pain is getting better, which is good. The bruises are a little scary. Just the look of the dark purple and the scares... it made my mom physically ill to look at. I can't wait until that part goes away. And the super glue stuff they put Humpty Dumpty back togther again is a little scary. Stitches I'm ok with...but they super glued me! It just looks WEIRD. In fact, I just took my first shower since the surgery and was super nervous about rubbing the glue off by accident. Let me tell you, your skin that has been sliced 2" pushed together and super glued back together feels incredibly weird! So now, I'm sitting here, tired as heck, with a cat making muffins on my leg because my stomach is strickly off limits, and I'm waiting for the heating pad and Advil to make a difference. Still waiting....

Yes I went to Jerusalem and Dr. Almanza was my surgeon. My coordinator's name is Nina and I highly recommend her. She has had the surgery herself, several months ago as well as some cosmetic procedures, so she can answer any and all questions with experience. She also moved from Ca to Tijuana so she could have a place of her own for her patients to stay, where she can take care of you. Her home is by far the most beautiful recovery house, very large, I believe it has 5 bedrooms, with a beautiful backyard patio and fountain, a fireplace as well as a bbq grille, it's a 10 minute drive into town for shopping on Revolution Dr, which the nurse takes you to whenever you want to get out, and I felt very safe staying there. I bought my daughter along with me and we stayed in the same room with 2 twin beds. The price for vsg at Jerusalem is the same, unless you go for plication, then it's $5000. I'm including Nina's web page so you can express your concerns directly to her. She will call you if you want to talk by phone or converse through email. Whatever you feel comfortable doing. I was told from Nina that we have staples, sutures and glue. I have been home and back to work for a week now and I'm doing very well. My primary saw me on Wed and took out my stitches for me, I have no infections and everything looked good. Good luck in your decision. Anything else you'd like to know just ask, I'll try to answer as best I can. http://www.bariatricinmexico.com/index.php