New Hope

Lauren, this is just one of the little steps required to get your band. Like already mentioned, you're increasing your lifespan by getting healthier. The people in the pre-op area are always so nice! They'll come and talk with you - confirm what you're having done, ask you if you have any problems with anesthesia. Your surgeon will talk with you. The nurses will check on you a few times. They'll begin your i.v. and ask you if you're cold. They bring this wonderful WARM blanket and cover you. By then, the relaxant in your i.v. is kicking in and you'll start feeling all snuggly under that cozy blanket. They'll take you in the o.r. and get you settled on the table. They'll put an oxygen mask over your face and you'll drift off to sleep. I didn't even wake up in the post-op area. I roused up enough to get into my hospital bed, then dozed back off. You'll spend the night and go home the next day (after a barium swallow to see that everything is fine.) You'll be an official bandster, girl!

And then again, they do have those little cameras all over the place.

Pat, who really listens to that 6 week rule????

Blackna, everything goes through the stomach first. The solid waste goes through the large and small colon, and out through the colon (when you poo-poo). The liquid waste goes through the kidneys and out through...well that depends on if you're a hen or a rooster.

Kim, so glad you went to the dr. and got a "clean bill of health"!!!

Hi, how much weight are you wanting to lose? I guess "jello" and "campbells soup" are good old American products. How long are you supposed to be on liquids? Clear liquids? or Full Liquids? The full gives you some more options...like yogurt, cream-based soups and are a little more filling. Hang in there. It's temporary!

And you'll lose faster just because you're a guy! Congratulations!

Please follow your surgeon's orders!!! Just because it feels o.k. doesn't mean it's good. You can be causing problems that won't show up until a lot later down the road. Better to stick to the rules and get that all important healing done right the first time. You can do this...one day at a time!

Poor Fran! Let's hope you got everything out of the way and nothing but "blue skies" ahead for you!

Good prep job, girl! I wore a Mexican wedding dress to and from the hospital (big and roomy), no bra. Shave your legs the night before, because you may be a little sore to bend for a few days afterwards. Listen to your body afterwards, if it hurts, don't do it. I didn't have any restrictions on driving. Just as long as you're over the anesthesia and not on any pain meds. that might make you groggy.

Diana, there are many, many qualified band surgeons - in the U.S., Mexico, and Europe. Just thoroughly check out whomever you decide on - not just based on the "best price", but the dr.'s knowledge, patients' comments, hospital used, and as important, the aftercare. You have to have great followup (and have it lined up) for this band to work properly! Take your time and research as much as you can. It's your life and you're worth it!

Hi, Neil, how much weight are you wanting to lose? Do you have any other health problems, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, etc? Now this is just the Mom in me, but please don't refer to yourself as handicapped. You are physically challenged to do some things differently than the average person does. But that's not the total picture of who you are! It's apparent you have many strengths and talents... playing guitar, working as a dj, your knowledge in music. And that's just the things that you've shared with us. I know you have many others.

Lisa, you're talking about Mexican band surgeons, right?

Michelle, you're a doll! How much cuter can you get?

Jack, it all goes back to those breath mints!

Do you have a facility that works with cancer patients. They're great to work with you for measurements, have very comfortable bras, a good variety, and good prices. If you're not sure who, check w/your hospital. They can usually recommend someone.

Best of luck to you! That's too funny about your "slouching"! LOL But your health problems should figure into the insurance co's decision.

I can wear the underwires and pushups more comfortably now. I've lost around, but not in the cup size, And you have such a nicer, prettier selection when you get in the smaller ones!

Becca, I'm getting an error when I try to pull up your site.

Best of luck to you! How much weight are you wanting to lose? Have you chosen a band dr. yet? Perhaps if your husband reads some information about the lapband, it will help with his support. You can go to inamed.com and download a copy of the patient's handbook. It really gives a lot of good info. Whatever you do, please be sure that you've researched until you don't think you can learn anything else. There is a lot of info. available here in the archives. By your list of interests, all of those will be so much better and more fun for you and your little guy.

The heavy metal wire that laces my husband's ribcage back together after open-heart surgery never sets off any sensors. However the 1" metal hinge on my Estee Lauder metal compact was picked up. On a return trip, a metal pick w/7 7" metal prongs was not picked up (that I forgot to check into baggage first.) So go figure!

The band is made out of silicon.

Check the ingredients out. If you're taking something like Thera-flu, it has acetaminophen in it. That's another word for tylenol. Taking too much is bad.

Will I look as pretty as you, if I do? How's your dad doing, Rica?