sandybraman

Like you, I've been on WW for several years and I lost weight on it, but I couldn't keep it off and, like you, that's why I had the surgery. WW isn't a diet, its just a way of eating healthy and if you go over your points for the day - well, you have extra weekly points you can use, so you don't have to feel guilty. And aside from a very few things, you can eat pretty much what you like (in moderation). I cook with WW recipes a lot, and my husband usually can't tell the difference (except for the eggplant lasagna! LOL!) Just like the band, WW is a tool to help you meet your goals.
And for those of you who DON'T want to go to meetings (which I don't), you can just do the WW online. You can keep your journal there, they have great recipes and exercise tips, and you always have the support here if you need a boost.
I'm SO glad there are others doing WW!

Eat more! I wasn't eating a lot either, but I upped my Protein intake and am trying to eat more balanced meals, and it worked. Your body needs to have a certain amount of calories to burn fat, and you might not be getting enough. You might try Weight Watchers online - there are lots of things you can eat and there's a support group on this site. I'm losing an average of 2 lbs per week (down 25 since my surgery on 12/30) and while that doesn't sound like a lot, 1-2 lbs per week should be your goal.
Exercise, too, is key. I'm working out at Curves 3 days a week and trying to use my stairclimber at least 2 days. If I don't exercise, I don't lose.
Most of all, don't get discouraged. This is a journey - check with your doctor to see if maybe your band is too tight - and know that we'll all support you here!

I haven't told many people either - only those I know would be totally supportive. This is a personal matter, girls, and we don't HAVE to tell anyone! Just smile, tell them you're trying to eat right and exercise more (which is true) and let it go at that.
Armymom, take an icepack with you and put it on your port for a few minutes before they do the fill. It helps with the needle AND the bruising.

Take your pain meds as directed and WALK as much as possible. Also, holding a small pillow over your stomach, especially when you cough or sit up, helps tremendously. I slept with mine for the first 3 days (I was banded 12/30).

I'm 5 weeks out and its horrible! I did get these little green pills at Wal-Mart (Equate Extra Strength Gas Relief) and they're miracle workers. Gas-X strips are more for the gas in your stomach, but the little green babies get rid of the farts!

I had my surgery through True Results in Dallas (they have an office in Houston) and I'm thrilled with the results. As long as you eat healthy (there are lots of websites you can use - I love WW) and exercise, you should be able to lose the weight.
I was self-pay and paid $8999, which includes my office visits for the first year. I financed it through Care Credit at no interest for 5 years (I'm going to pay it off in 2) and my only regret is not doing it sooner.
My mom and sister-in-law are both nurses and I know you're on your feet a lot - I would think you could go back to work after a week (I'd have my surgery on a Thursday or Friday, so you have 2 weekends before going back).
If you think of your lapband as a tool, along with diet and exercise, you'll do great. If you're not eating correctly (lots of carbs, fast food, etc), then you'll definitely have to change your eating habits. Everyone is different, but I can't eat bread, tortillas or rice, and I can't drink Diet Dr Pepper anymore (no carbonated drinks). But there are plenty of alternatives: Weight Watchers makes great ice cream treats and cups that are low in calories and sugars, and you can get lots of things (sour cream, cottage cheese, regular cheese, vegetables with sauce) that are either low-fat or no-fat. You can still eat anything within reason, but your portions are a lot smaller and it seems that after being banded, you are truly motivated to follow the nutritionist's advise (another reason I love True Results - they have several people there who are so helpful and most of them have been banded. PA, nutritionist, dietition, patient advocate and all of them will support you in any way they can.)
Read through the forums on this site. I found it before my surgery and was so glad I did! They helped with pre-op questions, post-op questions; I've asked some questions I couldn't ask my doctor and everyone here is supportive and willing to help.
Good luck on your journey! Let us know how you're doing!

Well, hopefully this will be the first of many appointments in Richardson and we'll be able to get together after one of them!

Just relax and start putting together your shopping list for the things you'll need to take with you and to stock your cabinets and refrigerator with.

You know, Dianne, I'm not worried about cooking for my husband - he knows what I can eat and what I can't - I just never realized how much I love food and how much I think about it.
I've been dieting all my life, so I'm not worried about THAT part of it; its getting hit in the face about my relationship with food. Funny, after dieting for 44 years I finally get it.
SOOOOO glad I've got you all to talk to!

Hi, I'm Sandy and I'm really excited - I've been on a diet LITERALLY all of my life. I know how to eat right and I don't mind exercise - I just love to eat. Really glad that I found this forum and would like to know what I should expect, how I'm going to physically feel, what I'll be able to eat (I know that I have to eat lots of Protein, but everything is different regarding what you can tolerate and portions).
Best of all, there's a place I can go where everyone is going through or has gone through what I am.

Good friends help make painful issues a little easier to deal with.

OK, everyone - its down to the official countdown: I'm having my surgery at 7:30am on Friday (12/30)! I'm excited and ready, but I realized today how much I'm going to have to change my thinking when I was trying to figure out what to cook on New Year's Day!! I honestly didn't know how important food is to me. Any suggestions??? I really could use some hand holding right now...

OK, everyone - its down to the official countdown: I'm having my surgery at 7:30am on Friday (12/30)! I'm excited and ready, but I realized today how much I'm going to have to change my thinking when I was trying to figure out what to cook on New Year's Day!! I honestly didn't know how important food is to me. Any suggestions??? I really could use some hand holding right now...

My husband and I got to Dallas on Thurs evening and I had a yummy chocolate chip cookie and a diet Dr Pepper before bed.
I was told to be at the surgery center at 6:30 for a 7:30 surgery. At 8:10am they finally called me back to preop where I changed into the lovely gown and socks. I met with Dr Benevides' PA and then met with the anesthesiologist. I told him that I was sensitive to anesthetic and asked if he could lighten up on it just a little bit. They put the leg massagers on, wheeled me to the or and that was it.
The rest of the day is very blurry (the anesthesiologist didn't lighten up). They did the upper GI, made me walk and around 12:00, sent me home.
We went back to the hotel and I slept mostly, only waking up to walk, take Gas-x and pain medicine and drink. The worst was the middle of the night - had a lot of gas pain under my rib cage and shoulder blades, my incisions were bleeding and I couldn't get comfortable in the bed. Fortunately, I'd brought a small pillow to hold against my stomach and it has been a lifesaver.
We drove home yesterday (Saturday) morning and it was the longest 2 hours of my life. Since I've been home, I haven't done much: took a shower and slept a lot. Today I've had 2 Protein shakes, Vitamin Water, yogurt and sipped on Water all day. Feel much better than yesterday, but still feel like I've been run over by a truck. I had an "OMG what have I done moment" this morning, but that passed and I'm excited to be starting this phase of my journey.
Ready to take another nap - more tomorrow. sleep well peeps!

WOO HOO! Had my initial/first consultation this morning and since I'm self-pay and already had most of the tests (sleep study, blood work last week, etc), my surgery is NEXT THURSDAY!!!!!!!
So excited - everyone at True Results-Richardson is awesome. Spent approximately 2 hours there, first with the intake person, then with the PA, had an EKG and lung test, then met with the surgery coordinator. I was really surprised when they said I could have it done so soon,but really glad I don't have to wait.
Nothing special before surgery; I have to get some blood work done tomorrow morning and my husband has to give me a shot of Lovenox (a type of heperin) twice a day because I take blood thinners for a mechanical heart valve. Can't eat or drink anything after midnight before my surgery (which is typical) and that's it.
So I'm going to spend a few days getting things together for post-surgery: Clear liquids the first week, puddings, mashed potatoes, cream of wheat, etc. the second, and solid foods the third week before I go back for my first post-op appointment.
I wish I could hug all of you - I am so excited!

Hi, I'm Sandy and I'm really excited - I've been on a diet LITERALLY all of my life. I know how to eat right and I don't mind exercise - I just love to eat. Really glad that I found this forum and would like to know what I should expect, how I'm going to physically feel, what I'll be able to eat (I know that I have to eat lots of Protein, but everything is different regarding what you can tolerate and portions).
Best of all, there's a place I can go where everyone is going through or has gone through what I am.

Good friends help make painful issues a little easier to deal with.

I was very surprised that some of the people I chose to tell weren't supportive. My best friend believes that I can do it with diet and exercise; I asked her how long she'd known me and when she answered, I asked her how long I'd been dieting and exercising. There was a long pause - and then she said that if was going to be a tool for me and was going to help some of my health problems, that was what was important.
I guess what I'm saying is that you can't let other people influence your decisions. You have to do what is right for you, and if you've researched this, discussed it with your doctor, and feel that its right - then DO IT. You will have lots of support here -all you have to do is ask.

Before you make that decision, you need to find out if your BC/BS covers bariatric surgery. Its very simple to find out - call the number on the back of your insurance card and they will be able to tell you. It wasn't covered under my policy at all - so I'm self pay and having my surgery on Friday 12/30.

Thats me exactly! My BMI is 34.9, with co-morbidity issues (sleep apnea, high cholesterol, fatty liver).
I know how to eat right and I don't mind exercising, its just that if I don't STARVE myself, I can't lose weight. I had my consult yesterday and my surgery is scheduled for 12/31 and I'm excited. This is just a tool, like eating right and exercising, to help me reach and maintain my goal without doing it over and over (which is the definition of insanity, you know: doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result!) I just want to feel NORMAL, not like I'm continually on a diet
I've got your back, chica!