Introduction to Me...a newbie

[bennigancat 0]

Hi y'all!

I am Angie and I live in Georgia, however I am and will always be a Tennessee girl. I have been looking at this site for some time but thought it was time to introduce myself.

I am your average teacher/mother of one/grad student. Well a little above average weight wise. I am scheduled to do pre-op on January 19 and have surgery January 26. I must admit I'm a little scared. However also excited about making some changes. I currently weigh 215, which I am told by many is too low to do this, but being on the short side (5'2") this is making me miserable and unhealthy.

Thanks for all your posts. The wealth of knowledge you all place on these boards is so helpful and comforting.

:rolleyes2:

[Astrasmom 1]

Hi y'all!

I am Angie and I live in Georgia, however I am and will always be a Tennessee girl. I have been looking at this site for some time but thought it was time to introduce myself.

I am your average teacher/mother of one/grad student. Well a little above average weight wise. I am scheduled to do pre-op on January 19 and have surgery January 26. I must admit I'm a little scared. However also excited about making some changes. I currently weigh 215, which I am told by many is too low to do this, but being on the short side (5'2") this is making me miserable and unhealthy.

Thanks for all your posts. The wealth of knowledge you all place on these boards is so helpful and comforting.

:thumbup:

First let me say Congratulations. Secondly let me tell you, although it's very normal to feel nervous about the procedure, it's not as bad as everyone thinks it is.

I was banded on Oct. 23, 2009. My surgery was on a Friday and I went back to work on a Tuesday. I didn't have alot of gas pains. I did walk alot to keep the gas moving. My progress so far has been great. I have lost 2 inches off my waist and 29lbs.

To ease your nervousness a little more. In 2001 I had open heart surgery for an aortic anuerysm. They also replaced my valve. I will need to have it done again because I chose to have a pigs valve the first time. And they only last for about 10 years. The next time around I will be getting a mechanical valve. Anyway my cardiologist told me that if I didn't lose the weight I would have taken the risk of dieing on the table or developing all types of infections. My point is, with my heart problems I made it through the lapband surgery just fine.

The only real discomfort is where your port is. It's usually by your largest incision. And that really isn't that bad.

My suggestion would be to get yourself some Gas-X strips for the gas that they pump into you. Make sure that you walk as much as possible. A small pillow for your stomach do you some good and a heating pad if you need that.

I wish you much luck in your weighloss. We'll save a seat on the losers bench for you. Please keep us posted on your progress.

[jenrobbar951 0]

Welcome! First I have to say, CONGRATS on the upcoming surgery. I was banded on October 27th and have lost 30 pounds since then. I am five foot five and a half, and my starting weight was 268. HORRIBLY OVERWEIGHT!!! I personally chose to have lapband done because I wasnt happy with the person in the mirror. I had no co-morbidities.......yet. I just wanted to love myself again, and unfortunately, I wasnt happy on the outside and it caused depression within. Each pound lost, each day beyond surgery, is a step closer to a happier, healthier me.

Surgery is always scary. This was my second time being "put under" and I was fearful of the anesthesia more than anything. I have had slight problems with epidurals and such and was afraid that something of that sort would happen with this surgery. THANK GOD it didnt and I was fine. I did wake up gasping for breath, but it was because of the breathing tube.

My recovery was painful. I had a perfect night/day in the hospital but the day that I can home was horrible. That night I had severe pain in my left shoulder. Gas had collected in the one shoulder and no matter how much I walked, there was nothing I could do about it. I ended up having to sleep in a chair, sitting up with my feet resting on another chair. I slept like that for nearly TWO weeks. It wasnt fun, but it was something I had to overcome in the process.

My five wounds are almost healed. Not sure why they are taking so long, but one of them got infected and had to begin healing all over again. Otherwise, I have had no pain from any site.

Overall, the experience has been trying, but it is something that you have to face to get to the end result. Each persons experience will be different. You may experience things that others didnt. You may experience things that are similar. It is all dependent upon your body and mind. Just keep thinking, "I am on the way to a happier, healthier me!" Best of luck!!!!!!!! Let us know how things go!