Dreamingof139

It is very normal to freak out this close to surgery. This is a big deal and is life changing - it think it would be odd to not have some anxiety about it. Most of the people who have been issue free with their bands are NOT on boards like this. Before my hysterectomy, I made myself nuts reading peoples stories. People tend to write about the bad stuff and it seems that way less of them write about the good. If you could do this on your own, you would have already. I had my surgery on 9/24 and I would do it again in a minute. The little bit of pain has been COMPLETELY worth it. Hang in there - you will be on the other side before you know it. Take Care...

Yes, you have been pumped full of fluids and they need to come out. Completely normal.

I also traveled for my surgery alone and wished that I had a lighter bag. I just had a small carry on, but the flight attendant was a real turkey when I asked for help in putting it in the overhead bin. He tried to tell me that I had too many bags because I had my travel pillow and a travel blanket tied to the top of my carry on bag. They also took away my crochet hook on the way home... have been traveling all over before and after 911 and have never had a hook or scissors taken away before. Less is more...

I came across this article recently and it was very helpful to me. It talks about what the band can and cannot do. I hope you will find this info helpful. http://www.drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html

I am not sure if it is this post thread, but I am glad that I have the Lap Band as well. I was told that mine was stitched to by abdominal wall, so I do not think that it can move.

I am delighted that your Mom is with you and happy for you! How wonderful for you to have this great support in place. Good Luck on your journey!

I also live in a small town. Unless one lives in one or has lived in one, I would imagine it may be hard to understand what it is like for everyone to know everyone and everything and what they do not know, they make up. Welcome and best of luck to you!

Hang in there everyone - as the others have suggested, walk, walk, walk and sip, sip, sip. It is very easy to get dehydrated without realizing it. Gentle hugs and welcome to the other side. I promise it gets better.

Oh, I had my own room - no one to keep me awake but the nurses who kept checking up on me. I liked that I was being monitored and if something came up I was already there...

How are you feeling? About a week out, I was a combination of excitement and nerves. Everything turned out great and I am positive that you will be the same. Take care and please know that I will be thinking of you on your surgery day!

You could very truthfully say that you are on a medically supervised diet, because you are and will be at that point.

Sip, sip, sip, walk, walk, walk. Repeat. It will work, I promise. Take care!

I was overnight because that is just what my surgeon does with all of his patients. I could have stayed a second night if I wanted to, but I was ready to head home. It does seem strange in our drive through surgery society to be staying for a relatively simple surgery, but try to enjoy the benefits - you will need to be on IV fluids and they will be able to better manage your pain with an IV. Rest is very important early on - hopefully you will be comfortable and well rested and can get going the next day, feeling well and ready to go home. This may sound silly, but try to trust your doctor if you can... I mean that in a good way, I hope it comes off the page as I intended it. Hugs, Cancun

A word of caution about thinner times - great people, great info, but if you post something that someone finds less than perfect, you will find yourself at the other end of a written warning. it seems way too controlled for me - I left after one of the best and longest posters was flogged for a very neutral comment. I realize that all groups have rules for a good reason (I have moderated and run groups myself) but Thinner Times was in my view over the top and was losing quite a few people when I came over to this group. Just my two cents.

This is also what I tell people who notice my loss and ask what is working for me. It is completely and totally the truth and it is what is working - the band is just a tool, I am the one doing the work....

Apple juice can cause gas in some people, so please be careful.

I am NOT ASHAMED of anything. I am a very private person and live in a town of less than a thousand people. Do you tell your friends how often you have sex or how often you poop? If you do, and that is what works for you, great, but please do not judge those who do not agree with your way of doing things. We each need to find what works best for us - can we please keep the focus here on what worked or works for us? I really think that would be more helpful to the group.

Me too - also banded on Sept 24th

It really depends. I am a private person, so less than 10 people know. My husband, two close friends, but not a third because she has a BIG mouth. My counselor, my parents (told them after) and my siblings. My boss has no idea - I took two days off work and was just a bit under the weather when I returned. For me, living in a small town, I did not want to have my life out there. I get lots of support from those close to me who know and from this board. We each need to decide what is best for us and our particular situation, but for me keeping my big mouth shut is best.

I was VERY bloated right after. Keep walking around and keep sipping your fluids - moving will get rid of the gas better than anything else. I was not dizzy at all, but you are very soon after surgery - are you getting your fluids in?

Welcome Lulu - I do not live in your area, but I am sure that many people do and can help you with specifics about which doctors are in your area. I went to Cancun for my surgery and that was the best option for me for many reasons. This site is a great place to dig in and do some research. I hope that you will find the tool that will best help you to be lean, fit and healthy.

Ah, the voice of experience. Whenever we compare ourselves to others, whether it be in weight loss or anything else, we are bound to find out that we are different, I cannot think of a time that I compared myself and came out even, which means I will either feel superior or I will feel bad, neither is good for me.

Hello and welcome - Toronto is one of my favorite cities - I once stayed in the hotel that is attached to the ball park - very neat. The liquid diet can be tough, but you can and will do it. Your surgery will be behind you before you know it.

Went through them as well - LOVED the surgeon but had some issues with the facilitator. Would do it again with that surgeon, but would bring someone along to facilitate the process for me.

As far as I understand, it is a closed system, so evaporation should not be possible.