LapBandit2013

I had minimal pain. You're doped up after surgery, then just maintain your med schedule after, plus pain prevention tips you'll find here like heating pads and walking, etc. I went to Mexico - the day after surgery I walked a mile round-trip to a casino, then flew home that night. It was totally fine, but I found I slid down really far in my seat because sitting up straight hurt my port site. I also had a c-section, and this is a piece of cake in comparison.

Feb 1st: 298 Feb 8th: 295 Feb 20th: 291 Feb 22nd: 287 Holy cow! Must be water weight or something, but I'll take it!

Wow, 30 pounds in 30 days? Amazing!!! I was banded on 1/18, only down 16lbs. As of today.

So I skipped the last weigh in because I started to get obsessed with numbers and the scale stopped moving. I was getting depressed. Weighed today, and I'm 291. I was 295 last weigh in, so I'm happy.

I decided based on complication rate, invasiveness, reversibility, cost, plans to get pregnant, vitamin deficiencies, and time to heal. But in all honesty, I wish I had the sleeve. I'm not sure I have the self-control to be successful at this.

Great job!

Like most people who go to Mexico for the band, I did my homework and chose a well-respected surgeon at a center for excellence - Dr. Ariel Ortiz, a gastric band pioneer who trains US docs. I knew the risks and set myself up with a local nutritionist and ARNP to do my fills prior to surgery. I honestly don't believe your surgeon had ports with no bands, or gauze wrapped around the stomach. I think there is a culture of fear surrounding Mexican surgeries, propagated by those who stand to lose business, etc. Unfortunately, there are those who don't line up aftercare and don't research their options, but those few stories are the ones that get passed along so readily on these forums. Also, there was a comment about not bargain hunting when it comes to your health -- that's not exactly fair. Some of us were only able to have the surgery because of the relatively low cost. If I were to self-pay here in Seattle, I would never have come up with the money - it took me almost a year to save 5k, I couldn't wait 3-4 more years. We all know how helpless we feel once we choose weight loss surgery, some of us just don't have the money to make it happen.

I thought "shrinkles" was funny, too. My cousin was banded 5 years ago, and that's what she calls her loose skin.

I totally hear you about breaking chairs! That's still one of my current fears. Also, worried about work meetings and will the chairs have arms or not, or can I fit at the movies, will I have to push the table out when sitting in a booth and everyone pretend they don't notice.... I flew to MX for my surgery and bought two seats just in case. Next time I fly I definitely won't do that again!

Not counting pre-op weight loss, I'm down 11 lbs since Jan 18th. I was hoping for a little more of a dramatic weight loss, but overall I'm happy.

I started at the same weight, and was banded almost 4 weeks ago. I don't have a lot of experience yet, but I just wanted to say that I know I'm going to have loose skin. But all I really want out of this is to look good WITH clothes on. If my shrinkles become a big self-esteem issue, I'll deal with that when it happens. For now, I just want to be healthy and walk out the door looking and feeling my best. That's the goal, anyway.

That's a big change, especially in your belly! Great work, this is so motivating! I carry my weight the same way, and I'm starting to notice changes as well. You look great!

This helped me tremendously for gas/shoulder/neck pain: Fill a long sock with rice, tie it off by knotting it around itself at the opening. Then microwave for 2-3 minutes. It gives heat, moisture, and a little counter-pressure. I really loved it, especially when Tylenol wasn't helping enough.

I was banded on Jan 18th, and not scheduled for my first fill until Feb 25th, but I chose that date because it worked best with my schedule. I'm thinking about calling and seeing if they have a sooner opening, because I'm also dealing with hunger and no restriction. I have been losing, though, because I've been counting my calories (1000 per day goal) and doing high protein/low carb and treadmill for 60 minutes a day. It's really hard! I've slipped up almost every day, but I count the calories and make up for it somehow. Yesterday I binged in the early afternoon and ate all the things I'm not supposed to. So I skipped dinner and went to the community pool to swim for 45 minutes. I still feel full and it's 2am! Anyway, don't beat yourself up. Just figure out what you are doing wrong and look on these forums to see what the people who are successful are doing. Hopefully after your first fill, you will feel less hungry! That's what I'm counting on!

I took 10 days off, and I also had a hiatal hernia repair. I am a nurse, and I probably should have taken a few more days before doing any kind of lifting/repositioning patients, but it worked out okay. I've had a pretty easy recovery and not too much pain. It sounds like your recovery is a little bumpier. If you aren't ready, can you call and talk to HR and get a doctor's note if needed to take a few more days off?

You are totally right. I know, I can really get discouraged easily. I probably shouldn't have asked and just been okay with whatever my body is doing during this healing phase. I guess I want to know if I'm "normal", but logically I know there is no "normal" for this. Thanks for your response, helps to put it into perspective.

I just had 2.7oz of whiskey last night, watered down. It was my first time with alcohol in months, and I was excited to have some! I tracked it and had the allowance for the calories at the end of the day. I will say, though, it really took down my inhibitions and I wanted to SNACK! Luckily, I just ate some raw mushrooms and salsa (I know, it WAS kind of gross) because I didn't have many more calories left. I almost gave in and ate animal crackers and pretzels. I probably won't drink again until there is a special occasion. Oh, also my surgery was on Jan 18th, I'm 3 weeks out.

Feb 1st - 298 Feb 8th - 295 Down 3 pounds, and I really had to work for it. Perhaps my goal of 18 lbs this month was a little too optimistic.

I am 3 weeks post-op, and for the first week I wasn't hungry/tempted/jealous. But after a while it got really hard to see some of my favorite junk foods in the house. Right now I can pretty much eat anything because I don't have a fill yet, so it's almost all will power and having things like sugary cereal, chips, cookies, pizza, ice cream, peanut butter, etc. has been really difficult. My spouse has no problem with his weight, he and our daughter are twigs, so I haven't asked that he remove their treats, but I do wish he would stop bringing new junk food into the house knowing that I have an addiction that I'm trying to beat.

I think that's good! I keep seeing people post really crazy numbers during the first several weeks, but I'm going to guess they are including their pre-op weight loss, too.

You are not alone. I'm struggling, too. I have cheated with my portion sizes, etc. I'm sure there are more people out there struggling than actually speak up for support. Sometimes there can be an air of self-righteousness and judgment in these forums, but we're all on the same journey! I hope you figure out the abdominal pain and congrats on getting a fill so soon! I'm jealous!

I hate exercise, too. I just joined a gym in my area that has a cardio theater -- basically I get to work out in the dark while watching a movie on the big screen. It's pretty awesome, I've been able to walk 60 minutes without hardly checking the time (well, I checked every 3 minutes or so as opposed to watching the seconds slowly tick by). Before surgery, I did Water aerobics with old people at the community pool, which was actually low impact and fun. Are you goal driven? If so, what about training for a 5k or cycling marathon. When I was more normal sized about 7 years ago, although totally out of shape, I had a "friend" tell me that there was no way I could do a 200 mile 1-2 day cycling marathon. So I bought a bike, trained for 3 months, and finished the Seattle to Portland STP just to prove I could do it.

I had my surgery on Jan 18th and I was up and walking right after surgery ( like everyone else). I also walked a mile round trip to a casino the next day. I rested mostly, but in the week after surgery I still was able to care for and mostly keep up with my four year old. A good idea might be to get a friend to come stay with you for a few days after surgery to help care for your husband and home. I could have used a little extra help for the week after, but it was manageable.

5k total, including all pre-op stuff, transportation and hotel. Fills being done locally for $100. Done in Mexico by Dr. Ariel Ortiz.