roxa

Wow. I never thought about the insurance side of it. We have insurance through my husband's work and they are switching insurance companies in January. I hope that doesn't mess anything up with me. That would be awful. I don't even know how a person would go about finding that out either.

I was having doubts too and from you all answering suzannetx you answered a lot of my questions and anxieties. I was about ready to back out. The thought of throwing up all the time terrifies me so I was glad to hear so many of you say that is hasn't happened to you. I love this website. You guys are great! Thank you!!!!!

That is a very scary thought but I guess there is nothing I can do except be very careful like you all have said.
Thank you Cheryl for hope!

Thank you all for the great solutions! I have been drinking the Atkins protein shakes and love them! The French Vanilla is my favorite. They are a total life saver!

understood. Thanks

wow. That sounds horrible.

Thank you so much. It is scary when I realize how my entire life is centered around food! My husband and I both had a 3 day weekend. Everytime he would ask me what I wanted to do the first thing that ALWAYS pops in my head is something to do with food. It is truly amazing I don't weigh more than I do.
I have horrible acid reflux and am constantly bloated and miseralbe no matter what I eat. I am hoping the band helps with that.

Don't count apples out just yet lol Angelina Jolie, Tyra Banks and even Catherine Zeta-Jones.are all apples and theses ladies are HOT!!!!

Today is the 14th day of liquids for me. The last 48 hours I had to give up my shakes also but I am now on the final countdown. Surgery is tomorrow morning. Trust me girlfriend, if I can do this so can you! I was about to throw the towel in about a week ago but wrote in my journal and reminded myself why I am doing this in the first place. Its not that I can't lose the weight, its keeping it off! I want to be healthier so I can watch my grandkids grow up and not be one of those poor people I see in the nursing homes I visit. We can do this.
Yes, every doctor is different. Mine seems to be a lot stricker than most of them so I hope my surgery is a breeze cause of it!
You will not fail. That is not an option. PLUS we have this great discussion board and other people who know what we are going through to give us strength and help us through.
I will keep you posted on my progress. Say a prayer for me Suzannetx!

yes we can do this!! I am going into the final stretch. Sat and Sun broth and SF liquids only, no shakes or jello. I will be glad when next week is over. Hoping the worst will be behind me then.

I will! They called today to preregister me. I guess this is really happening!

I don't think you will have that much excess flab, etc. for one thing you are not that heavy and second with the LB you lose it slow enough that the exercise will be able to keep up. So what if we are not tight like we were in our 20's - who cares?! I have only told one person (my husband) and that is a good example why.
I am so happy for you! I know you will do great esp with that positive attitude! I will keep you posted on my surgery. 4 days to go not counting today or Monday.

Debbie, Everyone's journey is a little different. But this is how it should go. Once you go to the meeting, meet with your physician and you make a decision together if lap band is for you. You will do some sort of diet 2 weeks before surgery (this is hard but necessary to shrink the liver, all docs are different and this diet varies) Mine was an Atkins no carb for two weeks and liquids 2 days before. You are normally in the hospital less than a day, I was banded in the morning and went home late that night. They would not let me go home until I went to the bathroom, I argued with them until they let me go home. I was dehydrated from the lack of fluids and it is hard to pee with no fluids on board. (I'm a nurse so I can be a little more difficult) You will have pain post op, this is major surgery even though it is done lap, you pain is GAS, sometime nausea and port site pain. Take your medications and walk after a few days to a week you will be back to normal. I took 5 days before going back to work but I have an office job and do not lift or tug on anything. The first 6 weeks ate being banded do not expect miracles, this is not a fast fix to losing weight. You have little or no fluid in your band and it takes time to get used to eating with the band. For some reason things tasted different to me immediately after banding, no one can explain this but I have read it on the forums over the past two years from others. You will be on liquids and progress back to solid food. Every doctor is different, I strongly suggest you spend a lot of time preop learning the rules of lap band, clean your pantry out of all the junk food and start stocking your house with healthy food. If junk is in the house you will be tempted. Lap band does not control your hands and your mind (sometimes we all wish it did) so get it out now. If you have family make sure they understand what you can and can not eat or should not eat. Support is key to this process. I left out the physiologist visit, this is not to be understated and one of the most important persons and part of this journey, your head has to be in the right place and very engaged to be successful. Most lap band failures are due to the person not being able to follow rules, think about it. We all have food issues of some type or we would not be resorting to WLS to help us lose weight, so get your head on straight if you want success. The first 6 weeks after surgery, you have no or little fluid in your band, do not expect to lose a lot of weight during this time. This is the time to practice the rules and get ready for the next phase. Once you have your first fill you will notice a difference with eating, I thought I chewed well during the first 6 weeks but found out very quickly that I did not after having fluid added to my band. The band is not about restriction, it is not meant to stop food from going through, the purpose is to help you feel satisfied. My best advice is to read, read, read and make your self as knowledgeable about the band, a well informed bandster is a successful bandster. I always say, everyone needs to go into this with their eyes wide open. This is not a fast fix, you lose 1-2 lbs per week if your lucky, you have to exercise, you should eat different than you did before surgery. (some people chose not to count calories or change eating habits, some lose, some don't) There are complications with lap band but there are with all surgeries, my physician is doing more gastric sleeves now than lap band due to the problems that many have with lap band. I am lucky, I have had minimal issues with my band but the band is fickel and you have to learn your body and learn to listen to what it is telling you. Some days I don't even know I have a band, most days, but if I am stressed or sick my band restricts me more, it is tighter, it is tight in the mornings most days and I have to drink warm liquids to loosen it up. The best advice I can give you is listen to your physician for real information, all of us can share but it is individual and we are not physicians. Good luck.

I was having doubts too and from you all answering suzannetx you answered a lot of my questions and anxieties. I was about ready to back out. The thought of throwing up all the time terrifies me so I was glad to hear so many of you say that is hasn't happened to you. I love this website. You guys are great! Thank you!!!!!