November Bandsters!!!

[Clioamuse 4]

I have to admit that I am a little nervous about my surgery on this Tues (the 8th) but the thoughts, experiences and tips shared here have eased my mind. Thank you one and all.

PS How do you put a weight ticker on here?

[lisa_marieg 3]

Day 4 and doing great. I finally had my first bowel movement yesterday (I know gross) but I was worried about Constipation since I'm eating nothing but liquids. I ate a little bit of apple sauce and it managed to get my system back to normal. Someone mentioned being cold all the time, @Jen try taking some Iron suppliment if possible. USually when folks suffer from being cold they usually have low iron or some sort of Vitamin deficiency could also be signs of being anemic (extreme cases) .

[Clioamuse 4]

Okay I figured it out . . . .

[missraefla 3]

My surgery has been approved. I have lost 8 pounds since Tuesday on pre-op diet and I'm scheduled for the surgery on 11/22. My pre-op tests are done, I have one final weigh in appointment on 11/18. what I'd like to know from everyone is, are you able to sleep in your bed or do you find yourself sleeping in a recliner or something? I don't have one, but my friend has one she said that she'd let me borrow. I didn't know if it would be worth the trouble. Any thoughts?

Also- how do i add the weight loss ticker??

[A.Cupcake 0]

Hello hello!

I was banded Wednesday November 2!

Each day has been better and better. The feeling of "wtf did I just do??" only lasted about 20 hours.

My upper stomach is still tight/sore (where the incisions are) but nothing too bad elsewhere.

I accidentally ordered 6 packs of gas-x thin strips from amazon..oops.

IF anyone wants em for FREE please message me your address and I'd be happy to pop a pack in the mail for ya!

I'm on full liquids and it's going find and dandy..EXCEPT I hate Protein powders and shakes. Blech.

That's about it for now, good luck everyone!!

[A.Cupcake 0]

To add a ticker go to the website and create your ticker (lots of options). Then get the code at the end. Go to your profile page on here and find the signature area. Put the code in

[mmm3 2]

My banding is scheduled for 11/18. I was told to do a one week liqued pre-op diet, but decided to do a 2 week diet. So today was my first day on a liquid diet. I had 2 shakes and did have a bowl of chili for dinner. I figured that I could atleast work on a low-carb diet for this week. Next week will be my real liquid diet-- this is my "practice" week. Everything I've read on this site says that the first 6months is the biggest weight loss time, so a head start is always good!

[cece75 0]

HELLO!!! I saw October and even December Bansters but no November...so I thought I would start the November Bansters! I called the Insurance company and I got a verbal approval. If all goes well I will be banded on November 14, 2011. Woo-hoo!! 11/11 will be the beginning of a WONDERFUL NEW LIFE!! I can't wait to do this for ME!!

How EXCITING..I just had my done Nov. 3rd

[cece75 0]

HELLO!!! I saw October and even December Bansters but no November...so I thought I would start the November Bansters! I called the Insurance company and I got a verbal approval. If all goes well I will be banded on November 14, 2011. Woo-hoo!! 11/11 will be the beginning of a WONDERFUL NEW LIFE!! I can't wait to do this for ME!!

How EXCITING..I just had my done Nov. 3rd

[Dream4tc 192]

My surgery is scheduled for November 16th , however my manager is having a fit that I am wanting to take FMLA because they are having trouble trying to cover my shifts because they don't have enough staffing. She is completely stressing me out about this. I had notified her on October 15th that I was going to be taking medical leave but I didn't have a date yet set because I was waiting to hear back from my insurance company and my surgeon's office. I even have an email to her as proof! I called her on Nov 2nd after the surgeons office called me to confirm my surgery date and she said "ok, just place your leave of absence form under my door and ill sign it" Well, 2 days later she calls and tells me she isn't sure I would be able to take my FMLA due to inadequate staffing!!!!! I already had my pre-op testing and insurance approval, the block of time for my surgeon was set at the hospital, child care arrangements, and my husband already took time off of work. I doubt my insurance company is going to pay for repeat testing again since I only have a short window of time to get this surgery done before I have to repeat all of these tests. I have never taken FMLA ever on any job before. She then threw policy at me and said that she needed a 30 day notice. Well, I actually did provide her with that when I spoke to her on 10/15.

I have surgery scheduled in 10 days, what do I do if she tells me that she won't sign off on my request for medical leave? I have a feeling I may have to go to Human Resources about this. I was super excited because I was approved so quickly with my insurance and now I am feeling stressed out after her call to me. Well, regardless I am having my surgery, even if they have to write me up over it. I kinda doubt they will fire me because I am having surgery. If they do, I think that would be grounds for a lawsuit. Help! Any suggestions as to how to handle this? I feel backed into a corner right now.

Sorry just needed to vent

[Dream4tc 192]

Cheri, Thank you so much for the wonderful encouragement and advice. It was wonderful to read. Congratulations on your success. I will not allow the holidays to defeat me because I am in control! I refuse to allow myself to start bad habits. This is a fresh start for me and I am ready. Thank you for the prayers! You are welcome to stop by any time on this forum and leave encouraging notes because we all need that

November is the month of my birthday. I have been banded for over 2 years down 84 lbs. I love my LapBand and will always be happy I to decided to do this. I thought I might give you all some advice even though you did not ask for it and I am not a November Bandster but its something I wish I had known when when I got banded.

The surgery is not bad, and the recovery time for most is very short. I think you need to go into this already knowing you will be hungry for about a month afterwards. You will not die if you feel some hunger pains. But if you go into it with the mindset that it is only one month out of your life. You can spend this time getting ready to really lose weight.

The first 6 months to a year is when most people lose the most weight. You are getting banded right before the holidays it is a hard time since people make everything about food during the holidays. I tell you it is a must that you do not give in to temptation, be strong and see food as what it is just food. It does not mean you can not enjoy the holidays just because you can not have "All you can Eat" on all the food. I do not know about all of you but I can not just have a little of a food that I should not be eating so stay away from it one bite and it can start you on a roll.

Be as strict as you can during that first year eat only what your are suppose to and work your butt off once you get an okay, but remember you do not need an okay to walk. You will see the weight drops pretty steady the first year and then it slows and for some people it really stops. I wish I would have worked out more during that time period. I did workout but and extra 30 minutes could have pushed me along faster. But if you are not careful the holidays can really hamper your losing from Thanksgiving to New Years Eve. that is 2½ months of peak losing you time could miss out. There will be plenty of years of holidays to come, by next year you will be ready to face the holidays and know how the whole band thing works.

Also something seemed to happen to me and a couple of my banded friends about the 6 month post op, we had drop a lot of weight and we kinda dropped the ball on our diet. It was like we rewarded ourselves with food for being so good the first 6 months (What were we thinking.) Some of us gained some weight and that really upset the ones who gained. Also it is not always easy to get back on track when you give in to the bad eating habits. I need to lose another 15 lbs and I have been playing with that for a good six months. I know that if I would just step up my exercise it would take just a couple of months. I have made a promise to myself that this holiday season is not gonna be about food. Yeah, we have to eat, but not pie, cake, rolls, Cookies, etc. figure out another way to not make food be the center of the Holidays you will be so happy when it is New Years Day and everyone is wanting to lose you will be so far ahead. Since most who post here will be getting banded in November (unless some other crazy like me invades your thread) you should make at least one contact and exchange e-mails or phone numbers and get that add touch of support. I met a lady on these boards and she was banded 2 days after me and we met for coffee alot and we talked on the phone everyday or text each other. Then you are with someone in the same stage you are. Do not compare yourself with each other on pounds lost or fill amount as everyone is different, just support each other because nobody will understand you like someone who is going through the same thing.

Also stay on these boards for support too and find a support group you can attend in person. I always hated when the support group meeting is over. Also I would find you a couple of books that deal with the LapBand as when you really need some support or understanding you can read them. (amazon has some great ones I have about 5 )One last point always listen to your surgeon over what you read or someone says on these boards. Sometime you have to decide what is best for you, but always follow your Doctors rules. You trusted he/her to cut you open and mess with your inside listen to them. If you think at some point you surgeon is wacko find a new one. We all have to remember food is food it is NOT our friend, or a shoulder to cry on and getting something you know you should not when you are sad, upset. That is when you should workout. Oh and how can I not tell you all what you have heard or been told "The band is just a tool" it does not control what you stick in your mouth, drink all your Water and just my opinion never touch Ice cream in your peak losing time as it takes only one bite to get you hooked as it goes down smooth and taste so good and will become a habit just because of those reasons Also chew, chew and chew some more.

This time next year you will be wearing your pretty, smaller clothes looking good and feeling great. I believe in prayer and before I sign my name to this I am going to pray for all of the Novermber Bandsters to have and great surgery, short recovery time, courage during the holdays and a great band experience. YOU CAN DO IT. starting picking your buddy now, buy your books and go for it!

Cheri

[lisa_marieg 3]

FMLA is your right! I am in the HR field. If you have worked 1250 within a year and the company you work for has more than 50 employees by law your boss must grant you Fmla. They must hold your job or an equal position with the same rate of pay for up to 12 weeks. If she does not they could have a big lawsuit on their hands. If she grants it to you and the gives you a hard time upon your return then you can sue for retaliation. Contact the department of labor first and then the EEOC if she doesn't grant it. Contact your companies HR department too! It makes me angry when employers try to bypass federal law!

[cece75 0]

I am having Surgery Nov 7th....I can't wait..... : )

How WONDERFUL!!! Good luck, it will be done before you know it!! I was banded on the 3rd!!

cece75

[cece75 0]

I am having Surgery Nov 7th....I can't wait..... : )

How WONDERFUL!!! Good luck, it will be done before you know it!! I was banded on the 3rd!!

cece75

[cece75 0]

I am having Surgery Nov 7th....I can't wait..... : )

How WONDERFUL!!! Good luck, it will be done before you know it!! I was banded on the 3rd!!

cece75