Hello everyone. I'm getting banded tomorrow.

[Tracytma 19]

Hi There Caffiene!!

Well, I enjoyed reading your story about your procedure! I've been a nurse for 27 years... and I'm still a sucker for hospital stories!! lol You write beautifully and I look forward to hearing your progress as you enter your post op period, recovery and new life! keep posting!!

On a side note, I have no fear of the surgery at all. I guess it's from all my years in an OR watching cesearean sections and the many surgeries I've had over the years... it's everything that happens AFTER the band that keeps me a bit anxious. This forum is amazing, in that it really helps those of us who are still waiting. I always tell/told my patients, "waiting is the hardest part... using harder than 'doing' whatever it is we're waiting for!" Thanks again everyone!

Have a great day!

Tracy:thumbup:

[caffeine 0]

Thanks Tracy!

I hear you about being inside and a part of the OR. I can't imagine what your job must be like. I've always heard that surgeons develop a strange detachment to horrifying situations because if they didn't, they'd be miserable thinking of all the people they work on.

The nurses and staff at the NYU Bariatric Center have been wonderful. In fact, one of things I'm going to do today is send flowers to my surgical coordinator because she has been SO wonderful with everything.

I think part of the reason is that doctors must have a really awful job -- telling people the most awful thing you can tell someone. And the nurses caring for people who have no hope.

But bariatric hospital staff must be different. The office workers, staff, nurses, doctors see people who have suffered their entire lives. We have dieted and rode the weight rollercoaster our entire lives, and suddenly, we are being given the chance to reclaim our lives and really live to our full potential.

No more searching the closets for a shirt that doesn't show a roll of fat. No more feeling awkward about having our pictures taken. I'm sure our excitement rubs off them, and I would imagine that even though there's a lot of fat people in the office, it must be a very positive, very good-vibe kind of place to work.

Everytime I had to go to NYUMC, I couldn't help but have an out of control smile on my face. :scared2:

[Cmor2k 0]

Dear Peter,

Your post cracks me up! I got banded last Monday (3/8) I don't know what model it is, just know its a lap band. I am more freaked out by what I can and cannot eat. I have lost 10lbs since the surgery. And people that don't know what I have had done are telling me I look skinnier :scared2:. But losing weight was never the issue for me. It was keeping it off. I bet I have lost over 500 lbs in my liftetime. I had a pre-op diet but I cheated on that. I still lost 12lbs though. I am happy it does not hurt to breathe in anymore. Frankly if they did not show me a picture of my stomach with the lapband in place I would not believe it was in. I have had a minimal amount of pain. Getting used to the way to eat is the hardest part for me. And it seems like every other commercial is about food. Plus I live in Chicago now which is a food capital. I used to live in L.A. but it seems like there are tons of places to eat around here. Good luck on your journey.

Cathy

[caffeine 0]

Hey Cathy,

If you got a Lap-Band lapband, you almost certainly got the Lap-Band AP, with a whopping 14mL fill volume. It's their 3rd gen model. My surgeon said that Realize is often better for men and LabBand is often better for women. One of the reasons is that men usually have a layer of (healthy to have) fat that never disappears. It's encoded in our DNA just like wider hips are encoded in females' DNA. The Realize bands have a curve that accommodates that layer. I guess it's genetic leftover when we left our caves for a few days to wrestle apes and bring back dead boars to feed our fellow cave dwellers.

Please don't tell my friends and family, but I have a passion for Chicago style pizza. In fact, my last 2 meals were a hot pastrami on rye from the 2nd Ave deli and Chicago deep dish style pizza. :-) But I live in NYC, which is also a food capital....

There are a few things that make me sad, like calamari and Chicago pizza, but as they say, nothing tastes nearly as good as being thin feels. I've also heard that people with LB lose the same kind of cravings that we used to have. It's now been a week for you -- are you finding that to be true? I imagine you haven't had your first fill yet.

I'm relieved to hear that breathing is painful for others. Nobody warned me about that; I was stressing a little that that I was the only one. The hospital gave me a little breathing exercise device. I'm supposed to hit the 1500 mark. Right after surgery, I think I was able to hit like ... 500. In the evening I got up to 1000. This afternoon I hit 1200.

I wonder of there's a LB FAQ out there? Your reply, along with a number of posts I've read here, have taught me a great deal about pre-op and post-op issues.

Pete

[gingerjane 5]

Hi Bob! Welcome! :scared2:

My procedure is scheduled for the 22nd. I can't wait! I'm slightly nervous but for the most part, just want to get it over with. I agree - my first four days on the pre-op diet were TORTURE. I wanted to strangle someone. But, it's gotten a lot better.

I do agree - I wish they had something other than sickenly sweet foods. Ick. I used to have a sweet tooth. I think it's run away and will never come back now. Blech.

You'll do great tomorrow! Just talk to the people on this site. Those who have been banded are so positive and it's encouraging to see how it's done! :thumbup:

[Cmor2k 0]

Hey Pete,

No one told me that there was a limit to the amount of fluids you could take in either. I had a little reflux on the 2nd day after surgery when I got over zealous with a Protein Shake. it was in a word, weird. I am going to miss food and I am a great cook. I have to learn how to cook more healthy fare I guess. It amazing to me the amount information we don't know about this. I mean I was and am still sold on the surgery but it kind of freaks me out the on the number of differences in people's experiences. Some had the pre-op diet some people ate mushy food right away. Where does it end? And everyone has different trials and tribulations they must go through. Sometimes I feel weird that I don't have more issues. Maybe its the luck of the draw or maybe I have yet to run into them.:thumbup: I am on this journey and am grateful that this forum is out here for people like us. I so don't want to be an island :scared2:

[broadway 0]

Pete,

I swear I'm going to follow you around to watch your progress as I haven't giggled so much in quite some time. I like your writing style. :thumbup:

I'm getting banded tomorrow at 2:45pm (yeah, right.. my doc is notoriously late so it'll probably be 3:30ish) and I cannot wait! I'm not nervous for the surgery, either, but rather the recovery. I've had the shoulder pain from surgery gas before and it "ain't" pretty. Oh well... if that's the worst I have to endure then this will be a piece of cake (light, and well-chewed, of course.)

I'm also dreading sitting in another room hearing all of the people around me farting up a storm like after my EGD test. Goodness, the poor people.

I'm tempted to put a St. Patty's Day temp tattoo on my belly for my doctor's amusement, but I'm not sure where to put it. I looked through the scar thread yesterday and dangit but the insertions can be anywhere.

Good luck to everyone on your continued recovery!:scared2:

Wendy

[Tracytma 19]

Great posting Jen! Lots of great information. I'm taking notes to help me with my preop diet... not sure when it will be... but i'll be ready!

Best of luck as you start your new life Journey!! Can't wait to join you!!!

Tracy