The Good And Bad

[ivyh 96]

So I am getting lap band surgery in November and I am started to freak out. I have read the good and bad but I want to know peoples personal experience with it. If you had to do it again would you? How was it the first few days after surgery?

[missybear 86]

Yes I would do it again. I'm three months post surgery and finding the satisfaction from eating a reasonable portion of food at 3 meals, chewing my food slowly with every bite, making conscious choices with my food and portions and losing weight as a result has been worth it.

Yes, I could and have done these things before without the lapband, but I found I slipped and returned to bad habits and regained the weight. This was the core reason for me getting the band.

The band is the reminder to definitely chew slowly and thoroughly and I've found with even only 1 fill, I'm more satisfied with smaller portions than I was ever before.

i've had one stuck episode and between sheer embarrassment and feeling terrible for the rest of the day, it's reminder enough to follow the rules.

I've also found given I spent both the time and money getting this surgery, telling myself my health and well being is really important has helped me focus on not just the eating, but exercise, reducing my alcohol intake and adequate sleep. I fortunately started a new job post this surgery and have a new persona as the fit healthier one in the office which is a nice change.

Although all that said, I did really feel like crap for a week post surgery. I was uncomfortable, having to sit up or shift around to move some of the gas pains and as a side sleeper found it difficult to get some decent rest having to lie on my back. I was really lethargic and felt like a bit of a zombie, as well as nauseous from the anesthesia. Come week two just felt like I wanted to eat something and was on the hunt for food, despite being on liquids. Week 3 & 4 on mushies, was better, but just had to be smart planning ahead or limit the amount of going out and social interaction that involved food if I didn't think having something soft and mushy was possible.

But come the end of week 4 I was happy and proud to go back to the doctors to show how well I did sticking to the rules, the weight loss achieved to date and ready to get on with the real deal living with the band day to day.

[Tsign36 37]

I am about 6 weeks post op. So things are new for me still. Honestly I feel so far that it is the best decision I made FOR MYSELF in a long time! Yes, it is tough at times but I don't regret it at all.

For surgery, I am allergic to pain medicine so I was nervous about the surgery, the medicine they need to give me and the nausea that usually follows... I have to tell you I wasn't sick once... good doctors and good medicine helped! I also had a hernia repair during surgery so that was an added bit. I stayed overnight in the hospital and I got up every 2 hours (even during the night, the nurse would come wake me) and walked about 20 minutes. I hated the nurse for doing it but I would kiss her now to thank her. I had surgery on Thursday morning and went to work Monday. My dr. would have preferred me to stay home till Wed. but I needed to go back so I did, then I slept and rested all evening. It was sore for the first week really, hard to be comfortable and I felt like I could feel my port all the time, but that went away. About 2 weeks after I felt good. About 3 weeks after I felt great!

Think about what is right for you, make your decision based on YOU and no matter what it will be the right one. I go back for my 2nd fill on Friday and will get weighed then but since my pre-op I am around 30 pounds down and I cannot complain. It is slow loss but I like it that way, I feel like it is more managable and more sustainable. Good luck and best wishes!!!

[☠carolinagirl☠ 18,721]

So I am getting lap band surgery in November and I am started to freak out. I have read the good and bad but I want to know peoples personal experience with it. If you had to do it again would you? How was it the first few days after surgery?

i only ask myself why i did not do this sooner.

[colleenjoy 104]

To be honest the first couple of days after surgery I thought I had made a mistake. I was in pain, could hardly eat or drink. I was miserable. That feeling passed quickly. I was feeling more normal week 2, and by week 4 I was back to 100%. Now just over 4 months post op I think it was the best thing I have ever done for myself.

I second Carolina Girl, I wish I had done this years ago.

[jen_1381 446]

I am almost 5 months post-op and my answer is YES, I would do it again!! My band has been my motivation to be better. My kick in the butt to get off the couch. My constant reminder that I need to eat to live, not live to eat.

I don't remember the first few days post-op being horrible. I remember the air pain was uncomfortable, but keeping the heating pad close made it better. Walking helped. Obviously I wasn't in too much pain if I don't remember it very well!!

My band was the kick I needed to get my journey started. Even though I haven't lost a single pound the past 6 weeks (darn plateaus!) I'm SO extremely thankful for the 50+ pounds I have lost so far, and that alone gives me the inspiration to keep at it.