Starting to freak out!

[FBSLover 0]

Hey everybody,

I am 23 years old and have scheduled my surgery for August 11th. It's like a week and a half away. I am totally starting to freak out. I am going in by myself and have only told 3 of my friends that I am going. Not to mention I am actually moving down to California right before the surgery so I am not going to know anyone there. I was told that I would be able to care for myself after the surgery. I am starting law school in 2 weeks and that was probably my biggest motivation to get the lap band. I want to be successful and I want to look great while doing it and I am really tired of hating my body. I feel like I am rambling, but yea I am just really scared. Anyone have any words of wisdom for me? Oh and if you guys don't mind answering a couple of questions for me. I was told that I could not lift more than 10 pounds after surgery. How long does that restriction last? I hear law school books are pretty heavy and I have purchased a rolling back pack so I will not worry about carrying them for awhile, but I would like to be able to eventually carry them. Also I was told that after surgery it is best to avoid steak and chicken......any opinions on that??? Okay I am done rambling. I just am looking for some advice and support. Thanks for listening or I guess reading...

[ParrotheadCathy 0]

Okay, FIRST take a deep breath. It's really not going to be that bad. Believe it.

"I was told that I could not lift more than 10 pounds after surgery. How long does that restriction last? I hear law school books are pretty heavy and I have purchased a rolling back pack so I will not worry about carrying them for awhile, but I would like to be able to eventually carry them." The restriction is just for a couple of weeks. You don't want to put any pulling stress on your incisions at first, that's all.

"Also I was told that after surgery it is best to avoid steak and chicken......any opinions on that???" Don't let anybody tell you now that there are foods you won't be able to eat. We're all different. For example, I have had a problem with soft bread pretty much from the start, but many, many people eat sandwiches and dinner rolls and Buns with no problem whatsoever. The truth is that DRY Protein of any kind can be a little difficult to swallow. Steak cooked rare to medium rare is easier than well done. If you cook chicken yourself, don't buy those expensive boneless skinless chicken breasts (styrofoam in disguise). Buy regular chicken breasts with bones and skin, cook, don't eat the skin (or the bones, LOL) and that chicken will be moister and tastier. Marinades and lo cal sauces can take care of the dryness too. Crock pot cooking produces moister Proteins too.

Getting a band is not a life sentence of not being able to eat delicious foods that you like. It is learning not to eat so much of them! If I had read all the posts here about how people can't eat this, that, or the other when I was just getting ready to have surgery or just recovering, I would probably have thought I made a HUGE mistake. The truth is, I can eat just about anything. Do I miss the soft bread? Not really. I'm not a sandwich person to start with so no great loss.

pizza....lots of people say they can't eat pizza anymore. But I can eat the thin & crispy crust (which is what I like the best anyway) without any problem at all.

Just try foods. The only real restrictions are (1) cut your food into bites about the size of a nickel. (2) chew really well, swallow and then pick up your fork and take another bite.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Wow you're totally just changing your life aren't you? New city, new school, new you! No wonder you're freaking out. You'd be a freak if you didn't!

Have you discussed with your surgeon how alone you'll be post op? I am sure you'll be find alone at home (just make sure you're unpacked enough to have things close at hand) but I'm not sure about leaving the hospital...they may be reluctant to let you go without someone NOT drugged/anesthetized to care for you!

Except for that small "what if" I am sure you'll do great, and congrats on the career choice!

[thebandedgirl 0]

I'm with Restless Monkey on the getting back from the hospital/surgical center front.

I had a restriction on the amount of weight I could lift for four weeks, but it varies from one surgeon to the next. A rolling bag should be fine

Good luck with all of your changes! You've got a lot to look forward to!

[sweetkissez42061 0]

Im getting my surgery same day as you !!!! Im terrified as well. Not so much of the lapband, just getting put to sleep! ive never been under anstheia (sp?) and i am so scared of it! As for the lifting part, my dr. said I could lift things after 2 weeks. It was a concern for me because I have an 11 month old baby