pugsx3

I had my gallbladder removed pre-band several years ago in emergency surgery. I actually had a stone lodged at the entrance of my stomach, and the pain was intense. It felt like someone overilled my stomach with an air compressor. Anyway, I went to ER on a Sunday, and was admitted. The next day, they had to do an ERCP to remove the stone. Spent Monday night in the hospital, but was realeased the Tuesday. The surgeon wanted things to settle a bit before doing surgery on Thursday. It was still pretty inflammed, and they almost had to go to full blown surgery (not laparascopic), but she finally got it out. I felt better immediately, but was off work the entire next week. I was pretty tired when I went back, but managed ok. To this day, when I eat breakfast - I have to stay near a bathroom for a couple of hours. My dad is the same way since his gallbaldder was removed.

Hi firemed! I'm next door to you in Aurora - but spend more time in Oswego as that's where my friends are. Dr. Woodard did my surgery at Kendall Pointe. They are both fantastic, and your in good hands. Good luck to you!

I apologize to you and anyone else that was offended by what I had to say. I've always been pretty direct, and I don't sugar coat anything. I did not mean to offend anyone. I was having a bad day, but I do believe in the things I said. Could I have found a way to say it better - probably. My biggest concern is not you considering making a mistake - it's actually making that mistake, and doing it intentionally. For whatever reason you decided to do the right thing - I'm happy for you. It may seem hard now - but it will all be worth it once your a success. I also believe that support comes in the form of encouragement to do the right thing - not to give excuses and encourage bad choices and decisions. It's just my opinion, but anyone who would encourage you to do something that could have negative consequences does not have your best interest at heart. While I may have come across harshly, it was said with the best intentions. I'm sure there will be times you'll fall off - I certainly have. In that case, the important thing is to get encouragement and support to keep going, and don't let it hold you back. You can do this, and you're young enough and active enough that you can probably do better than I have - and Isincerely hope you do!.

I can eat bucket fulls if I let myself! Popcorn is one of the things I actually wanted the band to help with - but so far it's up to me to control.

This may sound crazy, as it doesn't sound like it has anything to do with weight - but I want to get a new job, and get paid what I'm worth. I've always sold myself short because of my weight - and the statistics prove that fat women get paid considerably less. Yes I want to be healthy, lose weight, keep if off, and look good, but most of all I want the confidence that comes with it. I've lost it on my own before, and I'm just praying that the band will make it too uncomfortable for me to overeat - which is my main issue.

I don't claim to be perfect - but cheating 2 days before surgery seems reckless to me. I'm not a medical professional, so I'm going to listen to the surgeon that is a medical professional before I let him cut into me. Why in earth would you put that much trust into anyone, then decide you know more than them. Also, I will let my results from the surgery speak for themselves. I'm down 76 lbs since surgery on 9/15/11, and within reach of making it half way at the 5 month post op mark.

It seems to me that you're setting yourself up for failure with this kind of attitude. This journey is every bit as much mental as it is physical. If you "cheat" the only one you're cheating is yourself - no one else. If you're already making excuses to justify bad choices and decisions, what will change after you've been banded and you want just this one cheat? You're going into surgery, and letting someone cut into you and add a foreign object into your body which will hopefully stay there for life - why on earth would you open yourself up to any further risks than absolutely necessary? While I don't have restriction in my band yet - I'm still following all the rules, because you can do things that will hurt down the road, like a slipped band or worse. And even when you get to the point you have restriction - you can still make bad choices and eat all the slider foods you want. You have to make changes in order to be successful with the band. If you're not ready to that now, then what is going to be different next week? Sorry - I just don't understand justifying doing something that could be very reckless. Just because it turned out ok for others, doesn't mean it will turn out ok for you.

I had a last supper - but I had it the day before I started my liquid diet. I agree with the others that say don't do it. If you want someone to compare yourself to - I had to do 3 weeks of Protein shakes only. I didn't get one healthy meal a day, no fruit, nothing - just protein shakes! It was horrible, and I'm glad it's over - but I'm just as glad I did it. Also keep in mind - that the purpose of this diet is to shrink your liver so you have a safer surgery. Don't risk the consequences of damage to your liver in surgery! Lastly - most people go into bandster hell after surgery, where they can eat anything and everything they want with no restriction what so ever. I had my surgery on 9/15/11 - and I can still eat as much as I want and whatever I want. I'm not doing that - but it wouldn't be hard for me to do at all.

About 6 years ago, I began one of my many weight loss journeys, and over the span of a couple of years managed to lose 140lbs. I was wearing a size 6, and I looked and felt wonderful. When I started, my best friend was over 400lbs, and was in worse shape than I was. I felt the difference immediately, so I tried to motivate and help her to do the same. We joined curves together, and I tried to coach her in the mental game of weight loss, but she would not listen to me. Anyway, I got to the point that curves was not enough - so I joined the gym by my house and she quit curves. I did group power classes three days a week, spin classes three days a week, and walked a couple of miles one day a week. I have never looked or felt better - but my "best" friend quit talking to me, and she would not say why. My husband talked to her husband, and found out it was because she blamed me for her not losing weight, because I "abandoned" her at curves. I tried and tried to get through to her - but finally had to give up. After a couple of years, I had some health issues, and my dr. advised me to quit exercising as I was anemic and a cardiac risk. I had a couple of surgeries in the months that followed, and you can guess what happened. Within 6 months all the weight was back, and losing weight seemed hopeless and a waste of time because I wouldn't keep it off. When my "best" friend found out I was fat again, she began talking to me, and overnight became my "best" friend again. Last year when I started looking into getting a lap band, I tried to bring her along on the journey with me. She is a diabetic, and nearly died from it a few years back (she was in intensive care for 5 days, and intermediate care for another 3 days). She wanted to wait and see what I went through before she'd commit. I struggled with her through the whole process, and she is even the one who brought me to my lap band surgery, and stayed with me a couple of days to help. That was September 2011. By the end of October, she was on the phone crying that she didn't want to lose me again. She told me that last time I lost the weight I abandoned her, and she said I was already leaving her again. I wanted to scream, but kept my cool and told her that I was doing this to be happy and healthy. I told her I remember how good it felt to be healthy and fit, and I wanted that for both of us. I told her I'd help her anyway I could, and that I wanted to help her get off insulin and get healthy too - but if she chose not to make any changes at all, it would not matter, she'd still be my best friend. I explained that I was doing this for myself, and it was not fair for her to hold me back just because she had different priorities and made different choices than I had. I told her I'd prefer to do this with her, though I was going to do it regardless. No surprise - it's been all downhill since then. When I do see her now, she's encouraging me to eat popcorn at the movie theater, go for ice cream after, and to order the most fattening thing on the menu and to eat it all, and still order dessert. I'm thankful that I'm pretty strong willed and committed - because there are days where it takes everything I've got to keep going. I know first hand how hard it is - but thank god we've got each other on these boards!! It's the only place I can come to when I'm fighting myself!

I HATE mirrors. I have learned to ignore them, and I can tell you honestly that I just don't see anything more than I have to see when I put on make-up or do my my hair. This weekend, I got brave enough to look at myself, thinking I've lost enough that I would be able to see some kind of "shape" to my body - not just a blob. I was wrong - I'm still a blob, and it really brought me down. It will be a while before I'm brave enough to do that again! So, if the mirrors bother you, then I encourage you to learn to ignore them and keep going! You are truly an inspiration to me! I had 166 lbs to lose when I started this journey - which seems to be a lot more than most people on these boards. When I see people being successful with the bigger numbers - it really helps keep me motivated and focused to know I'm not alone. It's so easy to get down on myself for being fatter than most - so when I see your success it helps to keep me focused. You are doing great, so just keep going! If you don't do it for yourself, think of the others (me!) you helping and motivating!

My surgeon recommended Lose it,so that's what I'm using on my android - and I love it. I also have a Fitbit - which automatically downloads info to Lose it. It's a great combo - and if that's not enough, you can download data from the Fitbit to a csv file, and manipulate it any way you want!

Laura checking in at 230. Minus 3 makes me happy!

I cant not tell you how much I LOVE my Fitbit. I even went for the premium option as I love the reports it gives you. It keeps me moving and has increased my activity level like I could never imagine. There have been times I'm walking up and down the basement stairs before I go to bed, cause I won't let myself not make the goals I've set. If you really use all of it, you'll either lose weight, or know why you're not losing! It's got a friends feature as well, so you can get in groups that compare your status to others in the group, which is an amazing motivator itself. If I'm toward the bottom of the list - you better believe I'm gonna kick my butt in gear! I log my food, sleep, BP as well, and if you're diabetic you can log your glucose too. I'm a statistic junkie, and I love technology - and Fitbit has it all!

I thought they routinely give you antibiotics when you go into surgery to prevent infection. I know I've had them every time I went in for surgery - gallbladder, hysterectomy, and bunions on both feet as well as my lap band surgery

If its strep, get on antibiotics tomorrow morning. You can still be ready for surgery Friday.

I can totally relate to your fear. I had emergency gallbladder surgery after I'd been in pain for 5 years because I was afraid of going under the knife. I had it done laparascopically, and was sent home half hour after they woke me up from the surgery. The pain I was in for more than 5 years leading up to it was WAY worse than the surgery. Six months after that, I had a hysterectomy, and have a 7" vertical scar, which they say is the "worst" way - and I have no regrets about that either. If you're really that nervous - tell your surgeon, and ask your if they can give you something to calm you down the morning of the surgery, like a xanax. I'm not a health professional, so I don't know if that would cause any complications, but it can't hurt to ask. I have a friend that takes it every time she goes to the dentist - and it works like a charm.

I got a cold about 5 days prior to surgery, and was at my PCP for surgical clearance the day it started. He knew I did not want to postpone it, so he gave me an inhaler and an antibiotic to be safe - and he's normally pretty opposed to passing out antibiotics, which I normally agree with him on. I also called the surgeon, and said I'd be ok as long as my lungs were ok. Fortunately I did not have to find out, I was better within a couple of days!

Oh I did call them everyday!!! Their first response for me was the same "we'll call you when it's approved". I told them that if they'd just approve it they wouldn't have to hear from me again, otherwise I'll call to check in about the same time tomorrow!

I just had my 4th fill last week (I'm at 4cc in a 14cc band), and for the first time I've noticed a change. I have not had to slow down when eating or even think about chewing more thoroughly or anything to this point. Since the fill, if I eat too fast I'll get the hiccups after my 2nd bite. The other big change is that I'm not hungry in the morning. I still can eat whatever I want, and I can eat a ton of food if I let myself. My surgeon has wanted to cut back what he's adding, and I'm at a loss about what to do at the next appt. I know I need more of a fill, but I don't know if I want the 1cc I've been getting, or if I should cut back to .5cc. My surgeon is pretty conservative, so if I ask him the question, I know he'll cut me back and I'm not sure that's what I want. Any advise from those that have been there?

The thing that took the longest for me was to get the report on the psych eval to the surgeon. I think it took 2 months plus. I did the eval after my 2nd nut appt, so it did not hold anything up, but you may want to ask your surgeon's office if they have everything they need. Then you know who to call to keep the process moving. The good news is, I have BCBS-IL, and once they had everything, it was approved within 48 hours. I called them daily, because I had no patience either. I think my daily call to them kept it at the top of the stack as well. As soon as I heard from BCBS, I called the surgeon to confirm, and they scheduled surgery at that time! Hang in there, and just keep in contact with everyone handling everything. Remember that every day brings you closer to band day! Hang in there

Name, real or screen~ Laura Goal weight for Febuary 29th~ 223 Weight on Febuary 1st~ 233 Age~ 51 Dietary goal for Febuary~ More protein, less fat Exercise goal for Febuary~ Burn 1200 calories daily through activity (per my fit bit) Personal goal for Febuary~ Motivate my best friend to change her eating habits Date banded~ 9/15/11 Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~ 73lbs Do you have any Valentines day plans (How do you plan to handle Valentines dinner)~ This one's easy for me! After 15 years of marriage, I was divorced a little over a year ago, and am loving life alone. I'll be my own valentine and love myself enough to stay on track!

My cousin got her lapbad about a year before I did. I was not a negative nelly towards her - but I certainly thought she was taking the easy way out and thought she was making a mistake. Then I started researching it, and the more I saw, the more I liked, so I met with a surgeon who sealed the deal for me. Since then I told anyone and everyone that will listen, and it does not bother me at all if someone does not react well. I just tell myself that they don't understand, much like I did not understand until I looked into it. I also feel like telling people really holds me accountable to actually follow through. I don't want to hear anyone say I told you so! That being said,I would have been furious if I had asked anyone not to share the info and they did - so you are more than justified to be upset. This is a personal choice, and you have the right to decide who you tell and who you don't.

Like everyone else here, I would encourage you to start doing the right things now. There is no reason to put it off. Anything you lose now will put you that much closer to reaching your ultimate goal sooner, and gets you into good habits now. I wish I had put my head on straight sooner - I could have been 40-50 lbs ahead of the game. So although I did not take the supervised diet seriously - I wish I would have!

I 've got BCBS-IL, and actually gained weight while doing the nutrition appts - I had to do 6 months. iiThe surgeon subitted it for approval based on that, and was approved. He would not schedule the surgery until he had approval. My pre-op diet per the surgeons orders was 3 weeks of nothing but protein shakes - 3 per day. If I was still crazy hungry, I could have 1 zone bar. I lost 23 lbs in those three weeks, and was able to get my surgery.

Yeah!!! I beat my goal by 1lb!! Laura weighing in at 233!