bluetigereyes

Dr. Anderson did my band on Dec 22nd. He was my surgeon for my gallbladder a couple years ago as well. I would totally recommend him (and St. Als is awesome as well)

I just got banded on Dec 22nd. I started the process in 2008 and gave up. Then Oct 2011, I decided I wanted to go for it. Everything fell into place and went SO smooth. I lost 24 lbs before my band was placed (between Oct 23rd and Dec 22nd), and I feel great. I am now almost 2 weeks post op and feel amazing. I am now looking forward to my first fill so I can feel some restriction. Good Luck Tiffany You can do this!!!

I was banded on 12/22. I lost 24 lbs before surgery, but since surgery have only lost 1 lb. I am on 'mushy' foods and doing extremely well. The whole process went extremely smooth for me and I have to say that I feel amazing (almost like I never had it done!) I have been worried that I'm not losing, but seeing all the other posts and many people are not losing before the first fill is reassuring. I go to the dr. tomorrow for a post-op check, but not for a fill. I am going to talk to him about scheduling my first fill and seeing if I can get some restriction to see the weight come off. I tend to be on the inpatient side, but I know that I have to learn to be more patient, and this is a great test for that haha. I took my 'before' pictures the morning of surgery and I cant wait to look at those pictures next Christmas and see the amazing changes that will be coming.

New Year...new YOU! What a great way to start the new year. I have had my band for a week, and feel great already. 99% of the pain is gone and I feel like myself again. I'm going to see if I can sneak away and get to the gym when I get off work today. For now it will just be treadmill and bike, but its a start. Good Luck!!

Walking is the best. I got my band on 12/22 and I had ALOT of gas pain. I put a heating pad on my shoulder that hurt the worst and that seemed to help too. Just remember, for every 10 mins you sit, walk for at least 3-5 mins. It gets the gas moving and coming out.

Everyone reacts differently to Anesthesia. The surgery itself only lasts for about 45 mins, so you are no tout very long.

Take a deep breath, dont let things get the best of you. My insurance approved me within a day, some Insurances will get back to the surgeon right away, others take longer. If you communicate with your doctor about the concerns with your insurance, they can speed things along and try to get it done before the ins runs out.

Good Luck! I just had my band placed on Dec. 22nd. I originally started the process back in late 2008, completed my 6 months supervised weight loss, etc. Then, I got discouraged. I couldnt lose the 10% the doctor wanted me to lose, I was having a hard time in my personal life, and totally lost momentum. In October 2011, I decided (since I was at my highest weight EVER) that it was time to get it done. I met with the surgery coordinator, she is a complete god-send!, Got started on losing my pre-surgical goal (she said if I wanted to have it done before the end of the year, I could lose 5%, or 14lbs). I got all my pre-surgical testing complete within 30 days. Then came the scary part, making sure my insurance would approve the procedure. The doctors office called my insurance and faxed them all the documentation, they responded back that they do not require the pre-certification and I was cleared for surgery. It has now been 6 days, I am feeling great, and at times think it is all too good to be true because everything went so smoothly this time. I get this feeling that I'm going to wake up and it will all have been a dream. Prior to surgery, I was able to go from 274 to 253, in just about 2 months. Since surgery, I have lost another 5 lbs. Dont give up hope, you can do this! Good luck! Deanna

I too was banded on the 22nd. I havent had any depression or crying, but I so have a little tightness in my chest. I know I've had ALOT of gas (mostly burping) since the surgery. I have progressed to having thick liquids (anything I can suck up a straw) and depending on what I have it settles well. Last night, had a bowl of soup. Ate about 6 bites and I was stuffed. My biggest challenge seems to be drinking enough. I have a hard time drinking while I'm at work. I have lost 5 lbs since surgery, according to my scale this morning. When I started preparing for surgery I was 274 (I'm 5'3"), for the first time in a VERY long time, I'm under 250! I was 249 this morning. I feel great. My only question is, I still have the bandage over my port site, should I leave it on longer? There is quite a bit of dried blood on the gauze and I just worry about leaving that against the incision for so long. It is covered in Tegaderm so no water is getting to it.

I was banded on the 22nd of December. I can tell you that I am STILL having alot of the gas issues. Every time I eat, I get gas. Don't let that scare you. I know the hematoma is a scary complication, but it is relatively easy to fix. Keep in contact with your surgeon and if you have a coordinator that you have been working with, let them know as well. This is only a minor hiccup in a lifelong success. Next year at this time you will look and feel amazing! I told my kids last night, that next Christmas, I'm going to put on my jammies from this year so we can all see the incredible difference a year makes.

I also had my band placed on the 22nd of December. My incision sites are all really itchy (which is typically a good thing because they are healing). Today my incision where my port is is also VERY tender. This is my first day back to work after surgery, so I'm just wondering if its because I'm not up and walking as much as I was at home. My surgeon told me that the incison where the port is will be the most tender because its a larger incision and they do some tunneling of the port under the skin. I'm hoping that by the end of the week, I'll be feeling much better around the port site as well. Keep me posted on how you are feeling.

I didnt have a problem overeating over Christmas, which was a true blessing! I had 1 packet of Cream of Wheat (made thin) and I did eat 1 bite of a sugar free chocolate pudding pie (without the crust). I was more than satisfied. I am now 5 days post-op and really feeling great. I was not hungry last night, so I didnt eat dinner, well, that kind of backfired on me, I woke up at 2 am starving! I did wait until I got up at 5:15 to have a little breakfast, but I know better not to skip a meal again. I plan on having a vanilla yogurt for lunch and if I'm still hungry, I have a protein shake with my name on it as well I stepped on the scale this morning, I'm down 4lbs since surgery. I am so happy!

I just had my surgery 3 days ago, I can tell you, I am a little sore, but nothing horrible. I feel much better when I get up and walk around because they fill your stomach with gas, and trying to get all that out is the hardest part. your shoulders may hurt from the gas too. Just keep moving. Also, dont try to eat anything right away, stay on clear liquids the first couple of days. I am just now progressing to a protein shake and I got a little light headed and nauseated after drinking it, but didnt throw up, which is a good thing. Good luck, dont let people scare you, do what YOU feel is right.

I just had my band placed on Thursday Dec. 22nd. I have never written in a blog before, so I figure this is a great time for new beginnings. I started my journey of getting the band on Oct. 23, 2011. At that time I weighed 273 lbs. I stared on the diet my dr gave me, and at the time of surgery, I weighed 251lbs. I am 5'3", so as you can imagine, this is something that I really needed to have done. I thought about having the surgery 3 years ago, but I do t think it was the right time for me. When I decided this time, everything seemed to fall into place and go so smoothly, it was almost surreal. I now have my band and still thinking I'm going to wake up from the dream. Overall, I am feeling good. I do have some post op pain, but that's to be expected. I had the first 2 days of just clearliquids now this morning I'm trying a protein shake. It's sitting a little heavy, but I'm not feeling the intense hunger had this morning. I know there is no restriction I. The band yet, but I almost feel like there is. I'm sure it's just because of the swelling still, but it's a good feeling. I know this is the tool that's need to get to my goal. If you are just considering the band, this forum is a great help with people of all stages. It's been a great blessing to find this site. I will keep updating as I heal and share my experiences.

I work in a hospital billing dept. I have seen tricare approve the procedure, but make sure you have everything in order when the auth is submitted. Don't give up hope. I just got my band on Thursday dec 22nd. I researched for 3years, and I'm so glad I did it.

I just had my band placed yesterday, dec 22nd. I did not have to go on liquid diet prior to surgery. I am on clear liquids today and tomorrow I can start anything I can drink in a straw for 3 weeks. I'm sore, but found that the more I get up and move, the better. It's getting the gas moving and out that is the hardest part

Jen, I am right there with you. I, too am getting banded on the 22nd and I feel the exact same way. My only issue is I have not told anyone at work that I am having it done. I work at the hospital where the surgery is being performed, so I am a little timid about letting everyone know.

Congratulations! I am scheduled to be banded this week. I'm excited! I'm a little nervous, but I know thats just because its surgery. My whole process to get scheduled has gone completely smooth, like its meant to be, and I think thats what makes me the mose nervous. Its almost too good to be true. Im glad I found this forum, i will probably be on here quite a bie, especially after I start to learn my body's responses to food. I am in the Boise area, it would be great to get to know other banders around here, so I dont feel alone in the process

I am scheduled to have my band in 2 days. I'm excited and nervous all at once!