ImMaria01

Haven't dealt with either of these two clinics, but I can tell you that if you are going to be going in for fills every 6 weeks at first, and then occasionallly after that, I don't know that I would worry so much about after care, as I would about finding a surgeon who has performed many, many ops. My surgeon's office provides many opportunities to attend free support group meeting with psychologists and nutrionists, and I find that very, very helpful. Also, my doctor is laid back about dieting the weeks before and after the surgery. (Some doctors put you on nothing but protein shakes for 3 weeks before and very regimented 6-week liquid diet afterwards). Sure, I followed my doctors orders, but it was easy -- two shakes a day, followed by a low fat protein rich diet for two weeks before; then, a progressive diet going from all liquids one day to full liquids, soft foods and then finally mushies. No big deal. Just find the doc that shares your beliefs.

Hang in there. I was told your hormones can do crazy things soon after you get the lapband. I def. believe it, since I'm NOT a crier, and one day I suddenly felt upset at something and started crying my eyes out. It gets better, but I found it so helpful to know that it is very normal to be in a funky place every now and then.

Great, great, great!

I was told 5-6 days I could resume work (I'm a secretary, so I sit a lot). However...I decided to get the lapband during summer when I'm off from work. That was the best decision for me. Sure, I could have gone back to work after 5-6 days, but it would have been uncomfortable to wear pants. I ended up getting a couple of dresses without a waistband and that really helped. Plus, I would get soooo tired. I know some people can do it, but at 52, maybe I needed a little extra time than 5-6 days. . This was the best decision! I've just recently had my first fill (painless, by the way), and have lost 35 lbs in the last 2 months. Good luck to you!

Maybe it is time to get back to the basics? Sometimes you have to re-asses since it is easy to wonder off the right path. Have you attended support groups? Are you getting enough protein, drinking enough liquids, excercising every day? The committment to go through the op is huge! You owe it to yourself to exhaust every resource before deciding to have it removed. Won't it be that much harder to lose any weight without it? Good luck to you!

Congrats on your success! I'm 11 days post op and also off for the summer. I go back August 1, and have lost 25 lbs from my heaviest. Isn't it funny how much different you feel when you hit "onederland"? I just had my stitches removed and weighed in at 203. I'm so ready for onederland!! My treat for getting under 200 will be a shellac mani/pedi, just in time for school to begin. Good luck on your continuing success!

You can do it! Just remember the reason for the pre-op diet. Not only so your liver won't be harmed during the operation, but think of the diet as a dress-rehearsal for the important post op diet. I'm almost two weeks post op and can tell you that it is sooo worth it! Good luck to you and let us know how it goes.

Good luck! Mine went well and I wonder why I didn't do this before.

Hope your tests come back ok. I had a cyst and a hernia and had to undergo 2 endoscopies, so my date had to be postponed a couple of times. I wanted to cry each time. But just remember that the doctor has your health in mind. Also, my doc put me on a diet two weeks pre op so that my liver could shrink and harden up a bit. She said the risk of injuring your liver during the procedure decreases significantly, so I kep that in mind those two weeks pre op.

Good luck to you!

I'm 5 days post op (Realize band with one incision and hiatal hernia repair). You will def. be ready to go back to work in a week. Keep up with your shakes pre and post op. Also, some unflavored protein powder that you can mix into homemade freezer pops or soups, or add to Gatorade, etc. Also, I discovered that Lipton makes great Cream of Chicken soup in handy individual packets. Just make sure you strain it. You can eat this from day 2 on. Good luck!