NJGirl32

:DI always thought comedians were so brave- no way could I get on stage and be so vulnerable to people I don't even know! Cute song-good luck with your surgery

I just received the offical l etter as to when to come to the doctor for my pre-op visit and the actual time of the surgery and all the formalities-this is real! I have a stress test on Tuesday and my other dr. apppointment on Friday. I have alreay seen the nutritionist, pulmonologist, cardiologist, and psychologist.

28 days and I STILL haven't told my husband. I am throwing a big birthday party for him this Saturday with lots of people- I really wanted to wait until after that. Then I am thinking mayve I should wait to see if I pass the stress test first. I think my preop in May 12th-geeze this is all coming so quick! I figue next weekend I guess I'll have to say something!!

Ny daughter (24yr. old) was joking with me today and said "You can't keep a secret" and I quickly said "Oh yes I can!" So my husband said "They way you replied you must be sitting on a big one!" Hmmm- I wonder if he suspects something? I have never mention a single word to him about getting a lapband. Truthfully...a small (very small, tiny, teeny weeny) part of me thinks I could still do it without anyone knowing. I have read all the comments and I know that I really need to tell at least my husband. I do believe he'll be supportive.

Hopefully next week this will be behind me.

You do look beautiful-and so young!!! Thanks so much for sharing yr pics!

Good for you!! You should be excited

My surgery is schedule for May 25th if all my test come back okay!

It's post like these that make me smile and give me confidence that I can do it! I love reading stories about people who took control over their life and change the course of their future! I can't wait to get the band and break the chains that bind me!

Hi Tracey,

I'm glad you came to this site to get your information. You can read all you want but there's nothing like someones personal experiences. I'll try to answer your questions as best as I can.....

Question 1: Once you are banded the ask you to drink AT LEAST 64 oz. of Water per day. At first the drinking will have to be fairly slow however once the stomach swelling goes down from surgery liquids will go down more easily.

Question 2: They say to make your meals last for at least 20 minutes. You will need to take smaller bites and you will need to chew your food thoroughly. Like Ash said chew each bite 25-45 times. If something is not breaking down in your mouth after that amount of time it's not the best idea to ingest a lot of it if any. Getting "stuck" is not fun. It is very uncomfortable and you want to avoid that feeling as much as possible. The reasoning behind the 20 minutes is because it takes the brain 20 minutes to realize that you are full and only the top part of the stomach can detect that. That is why the band is placed so high.

Question 3: Every stage of your banding process will be different. 4 oz. is standard at the beginning but the pouch will stretch and you will eventually be able to eat a bit more. The top portion of your stomach is a harder part to stretch so your going to feel it when it does. bread may be a problem so you may want to eat the burger without or instead of bread put it between 2 large pieces of lettuce. You are going to be asked to eat your Proteins first when you eat.

Question 4: I personally can't feel the band when I move but if I push in on my stomach I can feel the port. I can also feel it when I am laying down but I do still have swelling.

Question 5: Most people don't have an issue when getting sick but everybody is different. I know that slippage can be a result of that but its highly unlikely.

Question 6: Some people have problems with Pasta, others don't. Like I had mentioned earlier starches are harder to process and you should always put your Protein first. Granted there are going to be meals that you will have minimal Protein but you have to make that change to not do that as often.

This is just as much a mental change as a physical change. If you don't go in to this with the right mind frame I suggest you wait. You will have to make sacrifices because the band is not a quick fix. It is a tool and you REALLY have to work hard at what you do. Counting calories, burning calories through exercise, getting in your protein (usually 50 grams a day for a woman) drinking Water, planning meals, and taking control of your emotions and finding out what triggered you to get to where you are now and figuring out how to fix it so you don't go back. It is a huge lifestyle change but it can also change your life for the better. The band doesn't work for you, you work for it.

Good luck with your decision

~Pam

Great reply! I learned a lot-thanks for taking the time to give us all that useful info!

Okat, I went to my appointment with my cardiologist. She was super young with a Harley shirt under her scrubs- she must be a resident- I can't imagine her being a Doctor! Her phone kept going off down the hall and she had to leave to shut it off-the ringtone was the music to "Kill Bill." WTH? Then I saw her texting-and taking personal calls about her kids in the hallway. Then she looks at me and says "You're getting a lapband? You just don't look like someone who would get a lapband" WTH does that mean? Okay- I carry my weight evenly - BUT I am 246 pounds!

She said my EEG (or whatever it is) had some lines that went down-she said that can be normal difference. They gave me a ECO-son0gram? That's a ultrasound of the heart. They scheduled me for a stress test on Tuesday.

Did anyone else have to do a stress test? What do they make you do? I am hoping everything is okay- I feel really healthy but I do get out of breath going uphill-but I would think anyone over a 100 overweight would!

May 25th - if all goes well!!!

Don't go - take this opportunity to recover without the kids in the house. That weekend should be all about you and your recovery-it's a godsend that the kids get the opportunity to go camping so you can focus on you. Just think of all he great bonding opportunities you'll have with them when the weight comes off! Don't feel guilty- you are doing this so you can enjoy a longer healthier life with your boys!

i just had my surgery on friday and i had a lot of those same fears... mostly the stupid breathing tube! but trust me one minute u r awake and fine the next minute u r out cold and wake up in recovery and it's all over! trust your sergeon he/she knows what they are doing and will make it the best possible for you. good luck to you i know you will do great!

Congrats! Glad to hear all went well!

Thanks for the back up support! I thought [/url]fluffytofabulous comment was very judgemental- and that's really not what this forum is about. My BF has been my BF for 40 years (since we were 8yrs. old) and she is more like a sister to me. All I can think of is maybe  fluffytofabulous doesn't have a BF that she is that close to-I don't know? Anyway- I really do appreciate the non judgemental feedback and support!

That is so sweet!

I am! My surgery is scheduled for May 25. Yeepie!

I am scheduled for the 25th too- if all goes well!!

Good luck to you and the beginning of your new life! Be proud that you are taking control of your life! You will be fine and we all wantto hear from you afterwards! You'll be a "Bandster" !

I think all that's natural-it means you're not going into this blindly, which is a good thing. But, what you really need to ask yourself is how happy you are with the excess weight? For me, I think about it every single day- it sucks the life force out of me in many ways. I know I can be a more active and energic person without the constraint of being overweight. I hope my new addiction will be exploring all that life has to offer-I thought the post "Skinny Bucket List" was a good one. With all that being said perhaphs the most important thing is the health benefits-reducing your risk of cancer, heart disease, etc. Keep your eye on the prize.

Being inspired! Find quotes to post around your house, on your mirror, etc. - Keep positive thoughts and positive people around you!

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."~ Mark Twain

"Progress always involves risks. You can't steal second base and keep your foot on first. "~ Frederick B. Wilcox

"Do one thing every day that scares you."~ Eleanor Roosevelt

"Risk more than others think is safe. Care more than others think is wise. Dream more than others think is practical. Expect more than others think is possible. "~ Cadet Maxim

Wow! That is so wrong.

I haven't told my DH yet and if he did that I would be really, REALLY mad. With that being said, some people are not good at keeping secrets. Part of me feels like it's my secret but why should everyone else in my life have to keep it-not sure about my thoughts. I want to tell my daughters (19 and 24 yrs. old) and I was going to say don't tell anyone - but again this is sort of asking a lot of them and I am not sure they could keep it to themselves so I don't know. I guess there are no easy anwers. He definitely should NOT have told his secretary - sometimes men just don't think! Has he been supportive of you other than this? That's the big question.

From the comment your husband made that you are the prettiest woman in the room when you went to dinner with him .... It sounds like he will be supportive and very happy that you are making a decision that is healthy for you ! You need to tell him so that he is a part of the journey in your life and not left out ... He loves YOU -- he just wants the best for you and for you to be healthy. Tell him over a glass of wine and a smile ! Show him your excitement !

I never thought of approaching the subject with excitement- I like that idea a lot! I always invisioned telling him with a sense of gloom or embarassment. But you are absoluetly 100% correct - I should show excitement because it is exciting that I am taking charge of this monkey that's been hanging on my back for most of my life- actually it's awesome that I have finally reached this stage at 48 yrs. old! I am not telling him this weekend because it's his birthday weekend- although next weekend is the big party for him- I am thinking after the party is over with. My friend's reaction was disappointing - I bet she never mentions another word about it.

I keep reading about hernia repairs-what's that all about? Where is the hernia located and what exactly is being repaired? Why do so many Bandsters get them? Any insigts would be appreciated. Does it take longer to heal when you have a hernia repaired> Where there any indications prior to surgery that something needed repairing? Are most of us walking around with hernias that need repairing?

I LOVE this forum- I feel so much better after reading all the replies thanks and Happy Easter !

That must be a relief! I wish I could tell my fmily I am just not at that point yet. I was thinking geeze ii=t's only 33 days before my surgery and only my best friend knows and she doesn't ask any questions about it.

I think it's great that you have such a wonderful support in place!

How is everyone handling Easter? We usually go out each year-will this be the end of my Easter Dinners?

:)I am in Central Jersey and went to Dr. Storm in North Jersey-he is suppose to be one of the best. He was voted top doc in NJ magazine for Baractic surgery. He is super nice and his staff couldn't be more friendly and helpful and organized!

I'm getting my band done at SOCH next week. Dr. Jonathon Reich and Dr. Karl Strom are great Dr's. The also have an office in Mountainside.

Dr. STorm is also doing my surgery in May-please let me know howyou make out! Good luck with everything!

NSV - what does that stand for anyway?

OMG! I would have HAD to say- no, you better hold on to it because you never know when the pounds might slip back on especially with summer coming and BBQ season! I would love to see her reaction to that!

What an awesome comment from that young man- so sweet!

I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to be a size 12!! Congrats to you!