Band. James Band.

How exciting! I can't wait to get my first fill. The doctor cleared me to have a fill four weeks after my surgery date, but I haven't made the appointment yet since that's still 2+ weeks away. I think I'll call them this week to set it up. I still have a huge bruise over my port site. I wonder if they can still do a fill there if the bruise doesn't go away? Anyone know about that?

I respect you for taking your time with this decision as well as continuing to collect information on what's ultimately going to be best for you. While I am newly banded, I don't think the Band is right for everyone. From what I've read here, it seems like the Band is probably right for you, but I don't think there's anything wrong with taking more time with the decision. This is a big life adjustment, and while the Lapband is probably the least risky WLS, there are still some small risks you'll want to consider. Best of luck to you on your journey!

What kind of immersion blender do you have Corrigan? You seem to be very happy with it. What specifically do you enjoy making with it / what types of smoothies & mushies come out best? BTW, I appreciate all the great content to you add to this site!

I've never heard this explanation before. It's really interesting. So I guess the idea is that without the fat layer around the stomach, there is no restriction? Regarding the 4cc band, I believe those were one of the original sizes? I was banded earlier this month and was told by my Doctor that only the 9cc and 13cc Allergan AP Lapbands are currently available. My wife and I just had the 9cc bands put in.

I love that statement so much, I just added it to my signature. Great message!

Today is Day 9 of my Post Op. I have to go to work on Day 11 Post Op and I'm dreading it. No one knows I've had the surgery and I have a ton of work waiting for me. For the most part, I feel like I've healed well. I still have back aches, throat swelling, and stomach swelling. I anticipate that it will take the total four weeks of Post Op recovery until I feel 100%.

Just talked with my Doctor. She said I was healing very well. This felt good to hear because I wasn't sure how I was progressing. I no longer have to wear a 4"x4" bandage over my belly button (where my primary incision was) and the overall swelling in my stomach is set to subside over the next week or two. My wife is having her Lapband surgery as I write this. I admit to being a tad nervous, but I know everything will go well.

I'm on Day 6 of Post-Op and my wife is getting banded this evening. It's going to be an interesting household... So far, I think things are going okay for me. I'm dreading going back to work next week. Hopefully I'll feel better by then. No one I work with knows about the surgery. Back pain continues to be my biggest challenge. I think it's gas related as it typically happens after liquid "meals". Just got some liquid Tylenol and that's helping. I'm not a fan of the Hydrocodone the doctor has given me - it makes me feel spacey. I've also been taking Gas-X since Day 1 as well as using a heating pad. I'm getting my one-week check up from my Doctor tonight. I'm interested in how she feels I'm progressing.

My Doctor gave me Hydrocodone for pain and I used it my first three days of post-op. It helped a lot to combat my incision pain (although the heating pad and Gas-X strips were the only thing that has worked for gas pain), but I find that Hydrocodone makes me unable to mentally focus on anything. When I take Hydrocodone, I can't read more than a page of a book; I can't get work done on my laptop; I can't even watch TV. Anyone else have this experience? I'm going to try hard to stay off the Hydrocodone today (Day 4 Post-op) and just deal with the incision pain. Overall, I think my recovery is going okay, but I think it's going to take a good 10 days total before I'm starting to feel half-way normal again.

Thanks for the tips and encouragement Corrigan!

I'm curious if you still enjoy food after the lapband. Obviously the quantities are much lower and there are certain restrictions on what you eat, but does food still taste good when you eat it... or do you miss food and the way it used to make you feel?

Hi Jake, I'm getting banded today too (will be leaving the house in 30 min) and also return to work on 10/24. I work in an desk job though, so I don't have the same kind of concerns you do. Hope the surgery goes well today!

Thank you Rebecca! I'm having surgery in 7 hours - can't wait to get this new chapter of my life started!

Hope everything went well today! Mine is tomorrow...

I'm having my surgery tomorrow and go home the same day. I'm a self-pay patient and my BMI is 32. My goal is to lose 55lbs and keep it off forever - I've been an extreme yo-yo dieter for 25 years. My wife is getting the band next week. I'm on Day 2 of my 48 hour pre-op liquid diet and it is certainly not fun. I'm not looking forward to the next 14 days of this. I'm both nervous and excited about my surgery tomorrow. I really just want to get it over with! I lost 45lbs about 1 1/2 years ago and have gained 35lbs of it back. I had my suits that I wear to work taken in by my tailor after I lost weight and now none of them fit me. I have to lose about 17lbs for them to start fitting me again - and that is my first goal. I'd love to reach this goal by Nov 14, which is when I come back to my office from my next business trip.

Thank you all for your responses - this has been very motivating! My wife and I have both decided to get banded. My surgery is tomorrow and hers is next week.

Josh, you posted this on 9/10/11. Does that mean that you lost 21lbs in 11 days? That doesn't even seem possible... I assume you were on a liquid diet during that time? How many calories per day do you think you were consuming? I'm also curious as to what you weigh today.

Dave, your story is inspirational to me. I have my surgery in two days and am both excited and nervous. My BMI is on the low side (32), but I've struggled immensely with my weight since childhood with enormous gains and loses over the years. I'm looking forward to stopping this cycle once and for all.

That seems like a very healthy progression and time period Jacquie. With a BMI of 36, you were certainly on the lower side and it is so wonderful to hear about your long term success. Do you remember how many fills it took you to reach your sweet spot? Have you had to have any fills in recent years? My BMI is 32 and my surgery is in two days. As a self-pay patient, I only need to do a 48 hour pre-surgery liquid diet, which I started this morning. I get to have my first fill four weeks after surgery for what will be my 9cc Allergan band. I'm very excited and of course a little nervous. I feel the band will give me some help in losing weight and a lot of help in keeping it off.

Wow, your story is incredibly inspiring Jachut! How long exactly did it take you to lose your initial 80lbs?

Has anyone tried having their bread toasted for their sandwiches? I would think that would make it easier to go down. I won't be banded until Oct 13, so I can't speak to the effectiveness of this.

Thank you for your response sweetpea. You seem to have been very successful on your journey this year!

Very helpful responses - thank you all!

I'm meeting with my Doctor for the first time on the 11th and my surgery is on the 13th. Things are admittedly rushed for me, but my work schedule is very restrictive and I don't want to push my surgery back any further. I've been reading different posts on this forum and have compiled a few questions to ask my Doctor. Please let me know if there are any other questions you would recommend asking. I'm a self-pay patient, btw. -What is your fill policy? When will I be able to get my first fill? -What should be my pre-surgery diet? (Day before; Day of) -What is your recommended diet plan post-surgery? -Can I get my pain med prescription before the surgery? -Will you be able to get some of the gas out towards the end of surgery? -Who do I call if I have problems after my surgery?

I'm strongly considering the lapband and I have to admit that this is one of the factors I'm looking at. I work in sales and I suspect that I will make more money as a thinner person. Anyone have any thoughts on this? Does anyone feel like they have better work and/or financial opportunities made available to them as a result of being thinner?