Kirsten46038

agree with all posters......let me add, it will take WANT power.
if you want to lose weight and be healthy, then do what you have to do. no side steps, no i cant this or that. you just do it. (think of all you did to get this surgery). it was worth it. so its worth it for you to stay strong and positive.
you got this

...i agree wholeheartedly... and can i just add another comment here? i dont think that lapband is easy.... not in my experience anyway. It doesnt allow for you to have an off day... if you get distracted for any reason and eat the wrong way you suffer agonies.... you just cant be like others anymore, its that simple. But, having said that i know its one of the best things that i have done. But no one could ever tell me that its easy... to me its not.

I didn't want anyone ruining my excitement. I had surgery yesterday and mentioned it casually on fb today. My journey, my rules.

I didn't want anyone ruining my excitement. I had surgery yesterday and mentioned it casually on fb today. My journey, my rules.

I didn't want anyone ruining my excitement. I had surgery yesterday and mentioned it casually on fb today. My journey, my rules.

I had surgery yesterday and even though I've had nothing but 2oz of broth at a time, I'm up 5lbs. I reckon It's the iv fluids so I'm not worried about it. Feeling blessed and excited.

My insurance required a 6-month doctor supervised weight loss (Aetna), but I had an old Weight Watchers log and they accepted it. First consult was 6/22. Surgery scheduled 8/24. So close and so excited!!

I'm now watching video 2 and this is outstanding! If this physician walks the talk, he's far above the kind of doctor many of us have experienced. So many posts on this site are based on lousy doctor follow up or deficient education prior to surgery. Thanks, I've bookmarked the videos myself and will recommend them as well. tmf

I was banded January 2012 and so far have lost 129 pounds in 7 months.
I am still losing, even after having my band emptied for an unrelated emergency surgery this past Sunday.
The band is a tool and like any tool, it's only useful if you use it correctly. If people misuse it or expect it to do the work for them, they will fail. If you people use it correctly and are prepared to do the work, they will succeed.
The power to fail or to succeed is totally our own. Don't let those who chose to fail by their actions (or lack thereof) scare you. You can totally do this.

Previously when you tried to diet and eat healthy foods you probably gave up because you got hungry. The difference with the lapband is that it helps to control your hunger so it is easier to stick to eating properly. Besides this is not a diet, it's a lifestyle change. With diets you go on them for a time, lose weight and then stop - - this is designed to be permanent.
I have a question for you. How many of us do you think were successful at losing weight and keeping it off before we got the band? The correct answer is obviously zero. So do not think you are alone in not having been successful before.

Walking is the best thing you can do at this point...congratulations!

The first day, is rest...stay properly hydrated, and take your pain medication as needed. Try to stay ahead of the pain, that is to not wait until your pain level is high and then take the medication.

It is very helpful to get things moving again inside for the gas so be certain to take a short walk around the house every hour you are awake...I was also given a series of foot and lower leg exercises to do every hour to help avoid development of DVT.

The same goes for the initial week or so; it will seem difficult to get all of your fluids every day; do your best so that you are properly hydrated. Try to lengthen your walks around the house, maybe a bit outside as tolerated. The more you move around (within reason), the better you will feel. SF popsicles were great to have . I got a craving for salt a couple of times, so I had clear chicken broth which was a nice change from the sweet shakes.

I was on liquids for an entire 2 weeks post op, and was thrilled to finally to get to the next stage at week 3...everything went into the blender to be pureed. I used fresh fruit for my carbs (pureed cantaloupe was my favorite ), and also made homemade chicken salad and egg salad. I also had SF FF pudding for variety. I began to take walks around the lengthy cul de sac we live on, and it felt good to get some exercise which was not too strenuous.

Best wishes to you as your weight loss journey begins!

Hi! I'll try to help
~ Pill sizes: I don't take anything aside from the occasional swig of liquid tylenol, but my program coordinator has said as long as it's small enough to go through the pouch, there shouldn't be a problem. Seeing as that's the size of a dime, I think zoloft should be fine
~ Soda: I've tried soda twice now since surgery a year ago, and I had no problem with it. I was told horror stories about it exploding in the pouch similar to a baking soda-volcano-science-project, but no problems for me. I just don't miss soda, so I don't tend to drink it. But a swallow every now and then shouldn't be too much of a problem.
~ Surgeon's experience: Heck, I have no idea. When I had my band put in my surgeon had only completed around 25 surgeries. Sorry, I'm no help here
~ This is a mystery to me, too. I think I remember hearing that sugar can irritate the pouch, or some other body part. I think it's all a ruse to get us to go cold-turkey against our sugar/carb/whatever addictions
~ Drinkable yogurt: hmmm. Again, I'm no help. Do you mean to drink it after surgery during the liquids phase? I don't really have yogurt that much, so I'm not sure
~ Insurance: Again, I've got nothing to help. I have Tricare, and with the first letter sent they basically ushered me into the surgery. I didn't have to do anything.. but I think my beginning BMI was 42.
Well, looks like my "help" really wasn't helpful at all. Sorry!

You hit the nail on the head!
You are detoxing, it is an addiction and you are going through withdrawals!
Hang in there with it, it will get easier but the first few days are the worst. Know it for what it is and you will find your body also purging itself, you mightg even have a bit of skin breakout.
You will be hitting the bathroom, you might be cranky, you might get some thoughts such as you can eat this or that. It is your body saying to you to just eat it, continue on... just like someone coming off a drug.
If you are having a rough time just come look on the posts and see what everyone is saying, it will help you keep focused!
Read a book, or watch a movie without commercials. Listen to music, or meditate... I even took some naps to help me get through. Hang in there...

Hello! I am from the Terre Haute area and had surgery in Noblesville with Dr. McEwen. So far, it's been the best decision I've ever made in regards to weight loss. My progress has been slow and steady. I went to the doc yesterday and am very happy with my results so far. I am very close to the 50 lb mark - about 1/2 way.
Good luck with your surgery. If you need anything, just ask!