slm2007

WOW...this really struck a nerve. This is so true..my husband I have been together for almost 17 years (dating/married) and I have probably a handful of pictures us together and my son is now almost 3 and I only have about 5 or 6 pictures of him and I together. I can't wait to get pictures with my son....he is the reason I'm banding. I LOVE THESE POSTS

Thank you. I have to add that to my list of things to remember!

That bad, huh? I'm getting banded on 4/18.....it is the "after" that is scaring me....keep us posted because I live on this site and want to know the good and the bad so I'm fully prepared. I've heard you should stay ahead of the pain with your medication ...don't let it get too bad before you take your meds. They gave us the medication for a reason, so we should use it. Heating pad and fluid. Good Luck and hope you feel better soon.

I know there is a post on here somewhere that someone asked "What do I need after surgery" and I can't find it so I'm asking for myself. I need a list of recommendations. So far I have my shakes, crystal light, sf puddings, some cream soups, popsicles, heating pad and gas-x strips. I also have my pain medication at home already. What else should I have....suggestions really, really welcome and appreciated. (freaking a little here but holding strong) Thanks - Staci

:hurt: That's all I have to say....I don't even want to start thinking about this part.....

I think if you have the co-morbities and I'm thinking things like PCOS, hypothroidism etc, might qualify. Your surgeon's office would probably know and it would benefit you to ask. I think even high blood pressure, even if not controlled with meds, might qualify you if it is documented that your PCP wants you to try to lose some weight before medicating you? Good luck

Gosh, you just have the best way with words sometimes! "at one time we all were *only* 50 pounds overweight" - AMEN. I really just wish I could get it through peoples thick heads that this isn't easy. Actually, if I wanted "easy" I'd probably go for the bypass because I think (for me personally) it would get the weight off faster and would probably train me faster (dumping syndrome and all) to watch what I eat. This band is not an easy way out and I guarantee that there aren't to many people that woke up one day and said "OOps, I'm fat, how about surgery." I don't think that a "skinny" person would be able to live with the restrictions a band puts on their lives. I'd like for them to try and see how "easy" it is! I remember oh so well when I only had 30 pounds to lose. I told myself at one point, "If I hit 150, I'm joining Weight Watchers"...and I did. Then I lost 20 pounds. It came back....then I said..."if I hit 175, I'm going to join jenny craig this time" and I did. This time I lost about 40 pounds and it came back. Then I said to myself "I'm never going to hit 200 and if I do, Bariatric Center"....and I did and I only lost 30 pounds and of course it came back and brought more friends with it like it always did! I said "If I hit 250 I'm just going to jump off a bridge"...well, I couldn't do that because I was pregnant and my son changed my mind about the bridge....but never lost the baby weight and here I am...getting surgery on April 18th. I'm done and I am glad that help is out there now sooner than later. I am looking forward to this journey and ElfiPoo's continued words of wisdom....

Thanks! Phew! I think from what I'm gathering that a lot of people have problems with "dry" foods. i.e. bread, dry chicken/meat. I'm thinking like you said, if you don't overcook it then hopefully it will be "easier". I know I won't be able to eat my whole steak anymore, at least at one sitting, but I wanted to cry at the thought of not eating a filet mignon every again...we'll see how it goes, and only time will tell what I tolerate. Maybe I won't even miss and I'll just love mushed tuna to death

I agree, this is what kind of disturbed me....she was six months out and eating spoonsfuls of "mushies" and broth! Her surgeon must be crazy if she is that restricted. I was sitting there with my husband (who is against me getting this surgery) with the hope that would enlighten him and all he could say was "see that is all you're gonna eat, just do that now"....first, duh, I'd be starving if I did that now without a band, and second, that is not what my doctor is recommending after six months of surgery. I think that part was a bit deceptive but I'm glad Dr. Oz kinda seemed in the corner of lap band surgery! I was pleasantly surprised but that.

I thought this was quite interesting yesterday in the Dr. Oz interview. The one woman said that most insurance companies only pay for one bariatric surgery so if you need a removal/replacement, you are own your own. Is this accurate? I often wondered if we needed it removed, how difficult it would be through the insurance company AND, if it was erosion or something like that and you were successful on it....would they replace it or would you have to do the whole pre-approval process again? From what I'm gathering from her comments, if there are issues with it, if you need it removed from slippage, erosion, intolerance, whatever, since it is "bariatric" surgery, they will not pay for a second surgery and this would be self pay problem? I'm wonder because if it is erosion, that would be a sort of medical emergency, right? Thoughts?

Yikes....I'm a prebander and live on this site for all kinds of insight into what my life is going to be like....seriously, this freaks me a little. I do not want to have to live on mushed tuna and chicken, mashed potatoes and yogurt. I am totally willing to do small bites and chew till I turn purple but I love meats and that is a good Protein, right? I'm a little concerned now. I can give up bread, no problem, but the thought of giving up a good steak once in awhile (even if it is just a few bites) makes me a little sad. I'm just concerned of what I'm going to be able to eat now....when I get to that point of real food again.

I'm scheduled the same day as you and has really started to hit me. I'm scared too, so you are not alone! I don't start the diet until the 13th (5 days prior, and all liquids). It hit me that next Wednesday I start the final countdown. I'm excited, nervous and terrified at the same time. Not so scared of the surgery really, more scared of the "After" and wondering how I'll do, will I hurt, will I be one of the ones on here with a success story or a story of disappointment. I'm going into this with the idea that I have to control it. I'm happy with a pound a week of weightloss adn anything extra is a bonus. I'm not in a rush (sort of) and I've set mini-goals for myself. I want to lose at least 20 pounds by my birthday which is just over 2 months after surgery. I've heard that losing in the beginning is easier, so that is above my 1 pound and then after that I'm looking for a pound a week. Let's be hopeful. Good luck to you......keep us posted.

I have to have my sister come over and do it.....despite my husband seeing me naked...I just can't bear the thought of him taking these pictures...stupid, eh?

I think I just pee'd myself! Spot that was so friggin funny! They are looking at me at work wondering why the heck my mascara is running down my face! I too am hoping that I don't have "it" during surgery but my system is so screwed up now because they wanted me off the Pill for 30 days so I'm a week early and it has been a nightmare! I don't know when the next Monthly will show up....part of the reason I love being on the PIll! I'm going just pray that it doesn't arrive and then take Spots advice...and laugh the whole time because I'll be reading that post over and over in my mind....so hilarious

Yikes, sorry to hear this! I hope you are feeling better.

My first goal is 1 pound a week. I'm not going to set myself up for unrealistic expectations...anything extra is awesome! My goal is to get to 160 pounds. I have quite a bit to go....but I've gained it over years, I'll have to lose it slowly too and I think that is better so your body can adjust. My other little goals are.....no longer shopping in the chubby chic section, being able to ride a rollercoaster at the amuzement park (I have a hard time fitting in the seats comfortably), taking comfortable pictures with my son (I won't do it now because I hate my face and body), buying a pair of Levi's that fit, and some cute shoes! I think it is what is going to motivate you. Getting out of "W" size clothes is huge incentive for me. I'm happy with a pound a week but secretly hoping for 2 pounds a week. Good luck to you and just find what works for you

I don't smoke but at the pre-op seminar they told the people that do that they should stop smoking 30 days before surgery. I don't know if that means it takes that amount of time to get out of your system or what? They also told us that they will test urine the morning of surgery. There are high, high warnings about smoking after surgery because it can cause bleeding ulcers and severe stomach problems and may increase the chance of erosion from what I've heard. Good luck to you!

Feeling better and more positive....Thanks I know that is up to me, and I know this is what I need to do and I know that I can fail or succeed by my own hand (and mouth) ...I'm good with that and will accept the responsiblity. I've also gone through all the pros/cons with other surgery and that is why I'm all for the band....what was freaking me was the "chest pains" the constant pain in the stomach/port area, the vomiting and other complaints. I know it is going to happen at some point, I'm going to be too "comfortable" and take too much on the fork or eat too fast, but these people that have these constant problems, makes me wonder BUT then I hear from the positives and I'm reassured that I have to try it. If' it is an issue for me and I have problems, nothings cut, nothings removed and it can be fixed. I do have a question and maybe someone out there knows.....because my surgeon's office didn't really have an answer. SAY I do have a problem, like erosion and they have to remove it, let the stomach heal etc. Can I get it replaced without having to go through the entire pre-approval procedure again? I know it may vary on insurance companies, but just as a general idea, does anyone have any ideas or has it happened to anyone? I just wonder. I would wonder too, if I'm successful on the band....and I have an erosion problem, would I be able to get the sleeve instead? I know they were saying that if you weren't successful on the band that they probably wouldn't do a sleeve because they are both "restrictive"....just some thinking I've been doing.

Just set my TIVO, thanks! Curious to see if it is pro or con? .... Just have to make sure none of my family see it if it is "con" - - - they are fighting me on this as it is, I don't need to add fuel to the fire.

on here first thing this a.m. all these negative "horrible band" posts that just freaked me out even more. In my mind I know this is the route I need to go....nothing has worked, I have to try it, but I read all these horror stories and am scared to death now. I'm not scared of failure, I can deal with that because if I fail, it will be my fault...the band isn't out to get me..but I'm scared of all this pain people are talking about, all the problems, and complications they have. Is it worth it with all these issues that seem to be running rampent in the lap band community? I know the rules and I know it isn't a magic wand, that isn't what scares me. What else freaks me out is that my husband has this really strange sixth sense....he reads people and situations to the point that is it scary and he is "afraid I'm going to regret this surgery." Makes me stop and think....what if his sixth sense is telling me something? I need positive uplifting stories and no more negative nillies.....I may just have to stay off of here till after the surgery and then I'll come back on to tell you if I'm having problems? Thanks everyone....

Actually, my insurance company is switching from 6 months to 12 months. My dr. wanted to hurry and make sure I had all my testing and approval done before they made this switch and I think that is happening at the end of June. Effective July 1, 2011, I believe that my BC/BS will be a 12 month diet...and I think that is insane. My physicians office said a lot of insurance plans are doing it now.

I am glad you posted this but honestly, I cannot bring myself to puree chicken or any meat? I just don't think I could deal with it consistency wise....chicken should not be like pudding....it's a physical thing and it might taste okay but I will stick with plenty of other mushie things that I can get down and I'll probably do the canned chicken, tuna and white fish the whole time. They (doctors office) also suggested baby food meat...seriously, no wonder babies spit that stuff out....

I'm assuming that because this was a voluntary recall in October 2010, taht the bands they used from say November 2010 forward were "corrected"?

I'm getting banded on 4/18 and when I met with the surgeon I had the same questions. His response was they both do the same, AGAIN...it is how you use it and he told me that honestly 90% of the work is up to the user and not the band. I'm going with the REalize because of the low profile port. I know the Lap Band has a low profile port too but the physician assistant told me that they don't use the low profile port for Lap, just the regular one..so I opted and told them I want the Realize band. There are supposedly pros and cons with both. I liked the low profile port and the fact that they say the Realize is a low pressure vs. high pressure band. But, that can be a negative because supposedly it might take me a little longer to get good restriction? It's a crap shoot, so my winner was the low profile port. If they used a low profile for Lap, I wouldn't have cared which he put in me. Not that I've helped you at all