Papillon Princess

This is your choice and you're the only one who can decide if it's what you want and if you are willing to work with it. (It's not a quick fix and you do need to work WITH it) You have shown that you can seriously work on it and that you only give up after realizing that you can't keep it off. I think most of us agree that we all have issues with eating too much and some of us can lose weight by "diet and exercise" but we can't keep it off. The band is a tool that will work with you if you're willing to work with it. I think your dad sees that you are willing to do the work and just need a little help. I'm not saying to go get the band, but like another person said, go to an informational seminar at a center of excellence. My dr has had so few complications and I trust him! Research the drs in your area and find one that is right for you and that you are comfortable with. As far as family and friends, do not do this for them. My parents and some close friends know about the band....but my extended family has no idea. They think I'm on another diet. It's GREAT that your dad is recommending this because you will at least have someone there to support you. Support is a big thing during this journey and it will make it much smoother if you have someone on your side. Do the research, I think the band is a great option and it sounds like you may have the right mindset for it. Ask any questions on here and you'll get lots of answers and support. Good luck!

My Dr does Fluoro (not sure if he will allow it standard only, I'm sure he would) but I was happy with it. He watched me do a barium swallow. He does NOT numb it and it doesn't hurt that bad. It is a pretty decent pinch but the pain goes away really quick.

I've been craving pickles like crazy since right before and still after the surgery.

I agree with the others, you will read a lot of people on here that didn't come out and say they wanted the "force" of the band to stop them from eating. These are the same people that are eating around their band and eating whatever they want in any amount that they want. This is about portion size and learning how to eat but it is not going to stop you from eating what you want. You're still in charge of what goes in your mouth and the easiest things to get down the band are also the highest in calorie! (Ex. Milkshakes)

I was allowed decaf coffee 4 weeks post op.

Your body is still healing and is trying to figure out what's going on. Gaining after you move from liquid to mushies seems to be common due to the calorie increase. Don't worry too much about it but make sure you are following the instructions on your diet. Count your calories and make sure you're not drinking your calories. Get your exercise in. I'm almost 9 weeks post op and the weight is coming off. I'm averaging anywhere from 3-4 lbs a week. I will admit, I need to get to the gym more as I haven't been going! I've been relying on walking the dog and I'm sure I could be doing better. You may not start losing until after your first fill as well. Right now you most likely have no restriction.

I'm doing great! It's been 6 weeks tomorrow and I feel wonderful, I'm 19 lbs down since surgery, had my first fill 2 weeks ago. I had read that the weight loss can plateau right after surgery due to changes and just having the body kind of thrown off. If you're hungry a few hours later...what are you eating? What is a typical day of food for you? Are you drinking plenty of fluids in between meals? I can't say whether it's a fill that you need or possibly what you're eating. My dr does fills every 4-6 weeks...

I like the Vitamins on BariatricChoice.com - most are chewable and taste great! The price is also reasonable on some of them. As far as the others...I'm not sure, my dr does blood tests that tell if you're lacking on a specific nutrient. If you are taking a multivitamin specifically for someone that has had a WLS, it should have everything you need in it. But everyone is a little different.

They will tell you the approval or denial takes up to 30 days (May depend on your insurance company), but mine took less than a week! So my dr scheduled a 7th visit (You can't skip one month during this time) and they called me about a week after my 6th appointment and I was going into surgery 3 weeks later! Once the surgery was scheduled I was required to have another blood test (do this ASAP when you find out you're approved, if there are any levels that need to be tweeked, you'll want to know quickly). I also had to attend a pre op nutrition class and what to expect during surgery. The pre op class for me was 2 weeks prior to surgery (since they require a 2 week pre op diet - which was why I was scheduled for surgery 3 weeks later). Overall, it wasn't too bad and it came fairly quick! Good luck

Hi Tammy, I'm not a pre bander, but I am a new one! I'll be 6 weeks post op tomorrow, had my first fill 2 weeks ago and life is good. I'm from central illinois but I drive 2 hours to Joliet to see my dr at Silvercross Hospital. He had great ratings and I was very pleased with everything I heard and saw; unlike the ones that were closer to home. Like you, some of the frustrated posts made me a little nervous so I started skipping over them so I wouldn't become too anxious before the surgery. I focused on the positives and preparing myself. Feel free to stay in touch, I hope your surgery goes well!

I was on vicodin and it worked well. I also ended up with a hernia repair that I feel added to the pain (When I showed the nurse where the pain was, she said that's where the hernia was). It depends on how you personally handle it. I'm 6 weeks post op and feeling great, but the first 3 weeks weren't too good for me. The pain was worse than I expected (but I also didn't expect a hernia repair) If you have excessive pain, talk to your dr about pain med options Gas-x will help if you're having gas pains in your stomach....but not the actual surgery gas pains. Those are relieved by walking and for me a back and shoulder massage helped a lot! Then I'd lay on heat for a little bit.

This is definitely a personal choice and depends on what your surgeon prefers. I know some people who are 100% stuck on one or the other. I have a realize band and I'm quite happy with it! I've read the realize band port is better for different reasons and is not as likely to flip. I also know sisters who have bands (one with a realize and one with a lapband) both have been very successful but the one with the lapband wants a revision to the realize band because of the port. Since I only have the realize band, I can't truly say which one is better or if one is better than the other. I think it depends on the person.

1. My doc says no protein shakes/drinks AT all. Do you agree? ( because i don't at all, nor does anyone i talked with ) I completely disagree, I was on clear liquids for about 2-3 days and then onto full liquids - which includes protein shakes. 2. Two weeks of broth & juice ( no milk,..ect ) I disagree completely with this as well - my Dr does not allow juice because it's full of sugar (even if it's all natural)...the carbs will lead to more hunger. HOWEVER, other dr's do allow juice and milk. I'm not allowed juice or milk (even soy) until I've lost 75% or more of my excess weight. 3.Do you have the stitches removed or do they dissolve? I had staples, so they were removed....some stitches will dissolve, I had to go visit my dr at 1 week post op which is when they were removed. 4. Should i be taking any vitamins or something? I'm getting at most 500 cals a day. You should be taking vitamins every day, Forever. I personally think you should take a high quality bariatric vitamin, I love the bariatric choice website, they have lots of vitamin choices and a variety of prices. Most of them are also chewable. 5. What did you eat the first week, second week & then finally at a month? I was on clear liquids the first few days, pureed for 3days-2weeks, mushies weeks 2-4 and then solids. I'm 6 weeks post op, had my first fill 2 weeks ago and doing quite well. 6. Can you take Gas EX? Yes...many will say gas-x helps with the gas pains, but it's not going to help with gas pains from the surgery. The air they put into you will not be released from the gas-x, that is released from activity. If you're literally having an upset stomache and gassy, then yes the gas-x will help and it is fine to take.

I'm also 23 and have been overweight since I was about 5 years old! I hate that comment "You have such a pretty face..." I'm excited about the changes I'm seeing, I'll be 6 weeks post op tomorrow and I'm down from a 25 in jeans to a 19 and I LOVE comparing pictures of me with the girls from several months ago to now. I can see the changes and people around me are starting to notice and I love it.

The surgery can throw your body off along with not taking your bc. I'm on seasonique (i have my TOM every 3 months) and I started 3 weeks early right after the surgery. But during the actual time I was supposed to have it, didn't at all. Yes, this is normal...your cycle may be a little irregular over the next few months even because of the hormonal changes as well. I was told to be extra careful about pregnancy during this time because bc may not be enough with the changes going on.

I felt an odd sensation as well and it does go away. I think right now it's due to the swelling and possibly still the gases. I'm 6 weeks post op tomorrow and don't feel any of that anymore. Give it another few days to a week and I'm sure you'll start feeling better.

Border collies (typically) will pick up things very quickly. Hounds are usually a bit stubborn and typically it makes them come off as being a bit slow. Papillon's are also very bright dogs! My little guy takes 10-15 minutes to consistently pick up any command and that's since the day I brought him home at 9.5 weeks old.

Dogs are definitely the best exercise buddies! They just love to be with you and don't care what time it is either.

I'm 4 weeks + 1 day post op and just had my first fill today. As far as the steri strips, they're supposed to fall off. My nurse had me keep putting them on for a month though, she said it will make the scar look "prettier" since the skin won't stretch as much if you keep it pulled together. I had 2 areas on each end that were still open like little circles. I think it's just due to the way the skin stretches and pulls back together. My scar isn't looking too bad so far though!

I just had my first fill tonight and dr said not liquids, just eat as you can tolerate.

Wow, that advice seems really odd...my dr has a contract that I had to sign stating I understood I was going through a gastric banding procedure and that if any hernia was found, I would authorize any hernia repair. I had a large hiatal hernia he found during the surgery and repaired. So that just seems crazy. Is he possibly really into the gastric bypass procedure and believes you may do better with it? I would personally go for a second opinion. (I'm 4 weeks and 1 day post op also...so this is still all fresh in my mind. Had my first fill today and dr said I'm looking great.)

Glad to see another rider on here! I'll be 4 wks post op tomorrow. I'm feeling pretty decent and hoping to take a short ride this coming weekend. Luckily it's been really hot, humid and rainy so hopefully they're ugly days you wouldn't ride anyways. I also had a hernia repair which dr said contributed to my needed healing time. So you may be out there sooner than you think. I prefer the spring and fall weather riding anyway. I put the bike away December-february.

Deleted - double post, oops!

You're fine, the yellow is actually where the skin is healing and closing up. If it was *****, swollen, or hot, then I'd be a little concerned. That looks a lot like mine did (I also worked in nursing for a few years, so I've seen a few incisions...). As the skin comes together, it's going to slowly bind and that's what is causing the yellowish part which is basically going to be the scab. To help with the healing and pulling apart, you may want to get some "butterfly" bandages or steri strips to keep the incision together.

This depends on your body shape and it's all about how you're built. My pant sizes have gone down from a 26 to a 22 over the first 20 lbs. My shirt has gone from a 26/28 to a 22/24. I think I'm ready for a 20 over the last 10-15 lbs I've lost though. I'm your height, 5'7 and now 237ish.