newbandlady

I'm down 26lbs since being banded 3/4/11. I am a self pay. There are things I'm thinking about now that I didn't before I got the band like "there's nothing keeping me from sucking on chocolate or eating ice cream right now". The slider foods. I am a grazer and head hungry. I had a hiatal hernia repair at the time I was banded. I ate and ate and ate myself into that positition I believe. Since being banded I haven't really had a lot of moments where I've felt hungry. The band has helped with that so the diet is easier in that sense. But it's there in the back of my mind ... the chocolate, the candy I can suck on. I'm not sure if I'd thought of those things before surgery I would have changed my mind. I wanted to feel full. I got 5cc's in my band an hour after surgery and .5cc's since. I feel satisfied most of the time. The head hunger is the real battle and the lap band doesn't fix that. If you can handle all this and get past the head thing and seriously diet just with the help the band gives you of not feeling hungry then you are making the right decision. I wish you the best of luck in your journey!

Good luck to you dum bass! Haha. Love it! Loved reading this post. I am newly banded and a week after surgery started realizing just how many things the band would not help me keep from eating and drinking. Oh boy I have had to really focus and stay strong not to suck on just one hershey kiss. Chocolate! My goodness my one weekness and I never even thought about that little loophole before getting banded. I hope you are finally on your successful journey and you find the inspiration and support here if and when you need it!

I had to do it too and I'm a self pay. No insurance requirements here. The guy just wanted me to take this long long test about how I think about different things (a lot of questions about drugs and alcohol, violence, suicidal thoughts, body image thoughts, etc.) Then he asked me if I knew about some of the complications and risks and that it was just a tool like the other user said and that I still had to do all the work etc. etc. They just want to make sure you know exactly what you are getting into and that you're in the right frame of mind to handle such a life changing surgery. It's a big deal so make sure you're ready.

Congratulations! You look amazing. I think you look younger too! Thank you for posting this. I watched that Dr. Oz show yesterday and for some reason it really had my mind racing last night and I didn't sleep well. Second guessing my decision. I needed the inspiration!

Good luck Kymba!

Never heard of the sleeve until after I had already decided on the band. But for me I did not want anything cut out of me. Nothing permanent. If it didn't work or I had problems I wanted to be able to have it taken back out.

I couldn't take the 2 days of liquids either after just getting back on solids. I had a salad for lunch after the 1.5 days. Then i pretty much went back to solids. No problems at all.

Why such a small band? I had 5cc's in my 10cc band an hour after surgery. I don't even remember them doing it. It was before I woke up. I felt some restriction with the 5cc's but got another .5cc's last week at my first fill.

Scarlet. Love the color Red. She left me with a big "scar" and "let"s me eat just enough!

Don't beat yourself up. From looking at your ticker you're already 1/2 to goal? In 6-7months? That's amazing. Don't compare yourself to others. Everyone is different. And our surgeons all do things differently. My surgeon filled my band with 5cc's an hour after surgery. Not many surgeons do that. So I already had what sounds like the equivelant of 3-5 fills from reading these boards. Do you see how my immediate restriction might make my rate of loss different from someone who had no fill and took several fills to be where I was right out of the gate? Or there are people that got 4cc fills on their first fill, some got 2cc's, some got .2cc's, some got 5cc's etc. etc. Also, we are on different diets. Some people are eating rice, and pasta, and bread and that is ok for them. My doc told me high protein, low carb no snacks. It's all different for each and every one of us. So try to keep that in mind. Just follow your rules and try to remember that you are doing great. You are so close to Onederland now don't get discouraged!

I just had my first fill. I was told 1 day of liquid, 1 day of mushies, but my paperwork said 2 days of liquid and 1 day of mushies. I did the 2 days of liquid but had a salad for lunch the day I was suppose to start mushies with no probs. I don't think I feel any different. I didnt' know it took a few days for the fill to kick in.

I didn't know there was a 4cc band! Mine is 10cc's and is filled with 5.5cc's.

I put my food processor on the counter during the mushie food phase. Cooking some fresh chicken and throwing it in the food processor was so quick and tasted way better than the canned stuff. I would mix different things like broth, ranch dressing, low carb bbq sauce etc. It was fabulous.

I couldn't find my port either. I am 4 weeks post op and just had my first fill. Well the first that I knew about anyway. There was 5cc in my band after surgery. I was so worried I flipped it all month. But laying on my back it felt like a flat wide disc that was close to my diaphragm. But when I stood up and she put a bandaid over where the fill was it was below my large incision about 1/2 way between it and my belly button. Mine is very flat and hidden well. I only felt it pushing down hard and rubbing around. Good luck! I don't think I would have found it without the nurse pract. showing me.

Great post! I really enjoyed reading it.

I find it so interesting so many of you are able to eat rice. I was told no rice, bread, or pasta ever because it can swell. I was scared into thinking I would never eat it again.

Turns out I had an allergic reaction to Neosporin. I put some on my wounds after the scabs and glue and everything peeled off. I think initially the scabs were itchy from healing. I put the neosporin on with pain relief to ease the itchiness. Never had a problem with it before. Doc just told me cortisone &/or Aveeno oatmeal lotion. Hopefully I'll feel better soon.

I have developed an itchy red rash around my incisions. They are small red bumps and I thought my incisions were itchy because of the scabs were peeling away and healing and everything. This morning I looked at them and all around them is a bunch of tiny red bumps. No where else on my body. Has anyone had this happen? Is it normal or do I need to go to the doc?

Good news, I had a fill today and felt my port. It's nice and secure and deeply stitched in. It's nice and flat and wide. I can't imagine it would be able to flip. I have been so worried about that and it's all good! Yeah! Got my first fill (5cc) since surgery. My surgeon actually placed 5cc in it already right after surgery. I feel very lucky.

I made the decision to tell everyone I knew. My thinking was if something went wrong and god for bid I not make it I don't want my loved ones thinking "I didn't even know, why didn't she tell me?". I don't have a gossipy family though. They live a thousand miles from me. The only negative reaction I got was from my mom. But it was more out of worry. She said "Oh Candi, can't you just diet"? You can imagine how I felt about that question. I said "mom if it was that easy do you think I'd be paying $10,000 to have someone cut me open?". I then went on to reassure her that it was laproscopic and relatively safe and reverseable. Once she knew I didnt' even have to stay overnight she seemed ok with it. Now she just asks me ever couple of weeks "hows the weight loss thing going"? And thats that. I don't think the rest of my family even remembers.

I tell everyone about my surgery if it comes up about my losing weight. I also thought about hiding it but I don't want anyone to find out I was banded and then think I was a liar or "took the easy way out". Like it's been sooooo easy. I just say to them I've been dieting really hard, lots of liquid dieting but I haven't been that hungry because I got banded. I'm proud of it. Proud of the fact that I realized I was headed for 300lbs if I didn't do something now. If someone brings me down like that I consider them toxic in my life and move on.

I was also having "cold feet" until they put me under. And after for a few days I was thinking "what the hell did I do this to myself for?" But 3.5 weeks post op now I am so glad. My clothes are loose and I have lost 23lbs. Yesterday I got my first "Candice did you lose weight?" and it felt wonderful! The decision is yours but what I thought to myself was; "if I don't do this nothing will change. I will just stay this way and be disappointed for the rest of my life". It was worth the risk to me to take that leap and pray that it worked for once in my life to be thin and happy and not consumed by the thought of eating! Good luck to you whatever you decide!

I have restriction already too. 3.5 weeks post op. I know my doc filled my band though a little. I consider myself a lucky one. Wish everyone could have the same. Best wishes to you all!

You're on exactly the same plan I was as well. Good luck!

Awesome news! Congratulations!