almostthere11

Congrats on your decision to get banded Welcome to the band family. I agree to make sure you walk it helps relieve the gas and helps to heal you more quickly. On the vitimans I would call your doctors office I was told not to take them until my 6 week check up since there's so much healing going. Just a thought I know all our providers are different. Again congrats and keep it up your doing great.

3 weeks banded and I've lost 25 lbs I love my band....I work out and eat everything right no junk...

Personal preference for me.

I was off work one week and the day I went back holy cow I was exhausted by noon and i have a desk job. If you can take an extra week off I would recommend it your body is trying to adjust and from not eating a whole lot of food you do get exhausted easily. I'm three weeks post op and I just went back to the gym last night and I could only walk 1 mile on the treadmill so give yourself some time if you can.

I was on clear liquids for 2 days then full liquids for 2 weeks I just went on mushies there is no way I could of eaten cream of wheat or anything else like that after surgery. Usually you get about 300 calories a day for the first 2 weeks or so I had alot of broth, sugar free popsicles, Carnation instant Breakfast sugar free of course and Decaf hot tea I was banded on Nov 8th and down 25lbs. If I were you I would go to full liquids for a couple weeks see how your doing then slowly go to mushies. Good Luck

Well I'm in the same boat as you the only ones that know are my hubby, oldest daughter and my inlaws that I have been banded. I was banded Nov 8th down 25lbs went to my parents for thanksgiving it was tricky but this is what I told them which was not a lie. I met with a dietician and she put me on a really stick eatting plan since my weight had gotten out of control and I was concerned over heatlh issues arrising. I have to eat very slowly, small bites and chew really good so when it came to putting food on my plate it looked nothing like it use too.

I have about 2 tablespoons of turkey, about 10 green Beans and 2 sweet potatoes everything I could mash up my wonderful husband told my parents I have done awesome since I have started eatting this way and I've lost 25lbs already. My dad offered me soda and I had to tell him no I can't have soda right now, he offered me peanuts, had to tell him no can't have those right now my dietician told me I could they are hard to digest. Oh the toughie was the bread my mom makes the best pumpkin bread ever and I use to eat 4 slices and then take some home and I PASSED on having it. Told them I have cut out all breads, you know we had a wonderful meal, great conversation it was a beautiful day.

So I didn't lie I did met with my dietican and she told me what to eat and how much, I just didn't tell them the whole truth and no one questioned me at all.. that's how I got through it I will have to do the same at christmas when all my family is here and kids are here for dinner. I just felt like I have come this far and I'm not going to blow it . I worked... Good Luck stay strong you can do this...

I had Dr. Zainibadi in Riverside and he was amazing, Staff was excellent and on top of things. This was the smoothest surgery I have every had I highly recommend Dr. Zainibadi at Riverside Medical Clinic

I have Cigna and my doctors office placed the referral for me to have surgery on 10/26 my doctors office called today told me I was approved and my pre op is scheduled for Monday.. Mine went quickly...

My doctors office put my referral in to Cigna on Wednesday 10/26 and I was called today and was told I was approved..

If you have Cigna Insurance. How long did it take you to get your approval letter?

I will let you know next week mine is getting submitted on Wednesday I have heard it takes less then a week and they are really good to work with. We shall see...

Well, surgery has come and gone and I am back to work on "Light Duty". I went to Park View @ 530am and was in a bed gettting prepped by 6. I wore loose shorts so I could walk after surgery. After a few minutes I was wheeled to OR by two VERY nice nurses, it was like a scene out of an old Marcus Welby MD episode, the pushed me through two VERY old and worn out doors. The Anesthesiologist pushed something in the IV placed the O2 mask on me as said, "You will be out in a few...............................*and fade to black*

I heard voices in recovery had my own room room until day 2. Painful, the whole sore abs/gas pain things sucked.

Eventually got home, I was walking around like a 90 year old man and sleeping in the recliner, much easier to get up from a recliner than a Comfort mattress with a slow air leak. It was like trying to get out of a soft sided dumpster, yeah, good luck with that.

So, after day 5 I had lost nearly 20 lbs. by today, 10-12 I have lost a total of 24.

My only issue is, under my left rib cage, I have a bulge the size of a tennis ball cut in half. I have no idea if this is normal. I am scheduled to see Zanibadi, tomorrow, hopefully he'll say it's nothing. For some reason, I am not sure.

Zanibadi said I have SEVERAL hernias that he could not address that were caused by my cancer surgery many years ago.

Anyway, every time I stand I feel pulling and a tightness like a rubber band on my left side, another question for the Doc.

Sorry I havent updated, I havent been tracking this post and just got an email reminder today.

Good luck and take care.

Glad to hear everything went well for you. thanks for the update it helps to easy my semi nervousness...I'm cursious about the bulge under your rib cage will you give an update on what Dr. Zainiabadi said and why your getting the tightness on your left side. I guess I just like to know just in case I have those same issues it will help ease my mind. Great to hear back from you congrats on your weight loss so far.

Big day is coming up and I feel unprepared. Not pre-op diet, just 1200 calorie as usual. Post op I am doing semi clear, soft, firm then small portioned Protein and and veg.

Funny thing is, no one has told how often I should eat after banding.

Anyway, 44 year old dude from So Cal, hoping to get back down to my academy weight (180) from 318.

Take care,

thanks

Bob

Hey Bob congrats! how did your surgery go? Are you handling the liquid diet ok? I'm getting banded in November so I 'm not far behind you and I'm a little nervous but so looking forward to having this surgery and starting my journey on a new healthy life. I also have Dr. Zanibadi for my surgeon did you have your surgery at Parkview?

I am getting er done November 30th 2011. Cant friggen wait!!! Go us!!

PS: I started a secret Facebook group (only members can see/ post/ read in the group) for us November bandsters. Add me as your friend and send me a private message saying you are getting banded and I will add you to the group.. Stacey Diederich-Speager!!!

Lets be losers together!!!

I would like to be apart of the secret facebook for november bandees...

Yesterday I had my 2nd psy eval went well she is going to say I'm good to go for surgery. The eval results should be to my surgeon within 7 days whoo hooo... I'm so excited but still a little scared..When I started my 6 months of supervised classes I never thought I would get to this point now it seems like everything is going so quickly...Anyone else feel the same?

I am at my second psy eval waiting to be called back. Keep your fingered crossed

November is the month of my birthday. I have been banded for over 2 years down 84 lbs. I love my LapBand and will always be happy I to decided to do this. I thought I might give you all some advice even though you did not ask for it and I am not a November Bandster but its something I wish I had known when when I got banded.

The surgery is not bad, and the recovery time for most is very short. I think you need to go into this already knowing you will be hungry for about a month afterwards. You will not die if you feel some hunger pains. But if you go into it with the mindset that it is only one month out of your life. You can spend this time getting ready to really lose weight.

The first 6 months to a year is when most people lose the most weight. You are getting banded right before the holidays it is a hard time since people make everything about food during the holidays. I tell you it is a must that you do not give in to temptation, be strong and see food as what it is just food. It does not mean you can not enjoy the holidays just because you can not have "All you can Eat" on all the food. I do not know about all of you but I can not just have a little of a food that I should not be eating so stay away from it one bite and it can start you on a roll.

Be as strict as you can during that first year eat only what your are suppose to and work your butt off once you get an okay, but remember you do not need an okay to walk. You will see the weight drops pretty steady the first year and then it slows and for some people it really stops. I wish I would have worked out more during that time period. I did workout but and extra 30 minutes could have pushed me along faster. But if you are not careful the holidays can really hamper your losing from Thanksgiving to New Years Eve. that is 2½ months of peak losing you time could miss out. There will be plenty of years of holidays to come, by next year you will be ready to face the holidays and know how the whole band thing works.

Also something seemed to happen to me and a couple of my banded friends about the 6 month post op, we had drop a lot of weight and we kinda dropped the ball on our diet. It was like we rewarded ourselves with food for being so good the first 6 months (What were we thinking.) Some of us gained some weight and that really upset the ones who gained. Also it is not always easy to get back on track when you give in to the bad eating habits. I need to lose another 15 lbs and I have been playing with that for a good six months. I know that if I would just step up my exercise it would take just a couple of months. I have made a promise to myself that this holiday season is not gonna be about food. Yeah, we have to eat, but not pie, cake, rolls, Cookies, etc. figure out another way to not make food be the center of the Holidays you will be so happy when it is New Years Day and everyone is wanting to lose you will be so far ahead. Since most who post here will be getting banded in November (unless some other crazy like me invades your thread) you should make at least one contact and exchange e-mails or phone numbers and get that add touch of support. I met a lady on these boards and she was banded 2 days after me and we met for coffee alot and we talked on the phone everyday or text each other. Then you are with someone in the same stage you are. Do not compare yourself with each other on pounds lost or fill amount as everyone is different, just support each other because nobody will understand you like someone who is going through the same thing.

Also stay on these boards for support too and find a support group you can attend in person. I always hated when the support group meeting is over. Also I would find you a couple of books that deal with the LapBand as when you really need some support or understanding you can read them. (amazon has some great ones I have about 5 )One last point always listen to your surgeon over what you read or someone says on these boards. Sometime you have to decide what is best for you, but always follow your Doctors rules. You trusted he/her to cut you open and mess with your inside listen to them. If you think at some point you surgeon is wacko find a new one. We all have to remember food is food it is NOT our friend, or a shoulder to cry on and getting something you know you should not when you are sad, upset. That is when you should workout. Oh and how can I not tell you all what you have heard or been told "The band is just a tool" it does not control what you stick in your mouth, drink all your Water and just my opinion never touch Ice cream in your peak losing time as it takes only one bite to get you hooked as it goes down smooth and taste so good and will become a habit just because of those reasons Also chew, chew and chew some more.

This time next year you will be wearing your pretty, smaller clothes looking good and feeling great. I believe in prayer and before I sign my name to this I am going to pray for all of the Novermber Bandsters to have and great surgery, short recovery time, courage during the holdays and a great band experience. YOU CAN DO IT. starting picking your buddy now, buy your books and go for it!

Cheri

Thanks Cheri for the words of wisdom and encouragement.

My target is to get banded on November 22nd...I can't wait

I think I do know how so I will get on it and post the info here as soon as I getter done. I have told my parents, my husband, two friends with the lap band and my sister. I will tell people if they ask but I am not going to put it all out there.

I too have told very few my husband of course, in laws, a good friend and my one daughter I will need to tell my two other adult kids when it gets closer. I was thinking I do need to tell my boss he's probably wondering why I"m going to appointments all the sudden...lol I'm in for the private Facebook so when you have it set up let me know...I'm in southern cali by the way where is everyone else from?

omg thats like the week before mine! good luck hun! hope it goes well for u! ile probably be seeing all u ladies here often, we should support each other since our journeys are all beginning around the same time and we can share experiences and feelings so we can all have a heads up as to whats coming next!

I',m in for supporting each other I will be more then happy to share my experience with anyone but as the looks of it most are before mine...so I will be watching the posts for support. Congrats to all we have all worked so hard to get where we are today.

Hoping for November 22nd, can't wait I'm really excited

Hey! Not banded yet. Hoping to be in about 6 to 8 months. I'm in Hesperia.

We could always make our own group.

Natasha are you stil on target for your band date? Have you gotten banded? Im in Heperia too...

what insurance carrier do you have?

OMGosh you look amazing I can't wait to get banded and start my journey. After I'm at my goal weight for 1 year then I will too get my tummy and breast done. Congrats on the new you! You totally look amazing and so deserve it you have come along wait....

I did my psy test 567 questions, hello I'm not nuts... then my second visit is oct 4th can't wait until this part is done did anyone else find there questions dumb??? I thought they were so stupid I couldn't believe the questions they were asking just to have a weight reduction surgery. anybody else feel this way?

Wow I have Dr. Zainabadi and I think he's great, he takes the time to talk to me he's always pleasant accomodating tells me what to expect moves my referrals right along I have nothing negative to say about him. the facility at Riverside Medical Clinc is very nice everyone is so pleasant I'm very happy with my choice. I'm sorry to hear you have had a bad experience...