Alaskanole

First of all I am proud to be a member of this site. It is wonderful to hear the stories of those who have been banded and those in pre-band status. It helps to read forums about the successes and the concerns, the achievements and the lessons learned. However, I wanted to reach out to those whose journey to Lap Band was slightly different. You see, My journey began at birth. I was born with a defect that was not treated until July 10th but caused me many issues throughout life. I was never an overweight child or teenager. I stayed active and in shape BUT I was sick. As a baby, I couldn't digest most formulas and I had a hard time with breast milk. Ended up with PET milk and karo Syrup. As a young child, I had multiple stomach viruses. At the age of eight, I learned that falling asleep after I ate lead to choking in my sleep later on. This was chalked up to having a weak lid (whatever that means) and bad family history. During my college years, I began to develop ulcers. I was placed on a daily regiment of Protonix and sent home. By 30, I was experiencing fatigue, slight Hair loss, and pain whenever I ate certain foods. At 31, I had enough and I requested to be sent to a specialist. I had an Upper GI which confirmed the presence of a hiatal hernia. One I was born with. Told that I could live with it and sent on my way. At 32, the list of foods I was unable to digest without pain was growing by leaps and bounds: NO fruit, no raw vegetables, no cakes, no Desserts, nothing with Tomato paste, no spicy foods, limited greasy foods, no carbonated drinks, no alcohol. I virtually had to watch almost everything I ate. I was in pain when I ate and pain when I wasn't eating. My Vitamin levels where awful and my immune system not the best. I was exercising but not losing weight. I was surviving off of starch. I met with the specialist who performed and EGD - or scope on my stomach. Afterwards, He said he understood why I was in pain. The hernia had went from small to moderate size, Gastritis, GERD, reflux, and signs of Sleep Apnea. My stomach was a hot mess. All relating to the fact that my Hernia was never treated and 33 years later the damage was evident. My part in it all: Im sure I sped the process along with my awful College eating habits - aka eating when I had a chance and not getting anything remotely close to proper rest.) I remember sitting through my Pre Surgery Informational Class shaking my leg because I was in so much pain: I had just ate chicken and mashed potatoes and cole slaw. Yes I know: not the best - but anything I ate caused me pain. Well, the doctor sat down and discussed my options with me. LapBand seemed the best option. As of July 15th, I feel so much better. I actually rest when I sleep now. My thoughts are clearer. Outside of the pain of surgery, My stomach feels much better. I did start the Protein Shakes a month before my surgery. Two shakes and one meal for four weeks, which greatly helped with the abdominal pain and agitation. Two weeks before surgery, I had a Protein Shake every 3 hours and Water in between. NO food. Yes I lose 24 lbs before surgery: though I was not very thrilled during the process. My doctor informed my loved ones that not only where things better than he anticipated during surgery, but my surgery went well and everything looked good. I wanted to share this story with those who are experiencing the same issues. Please note that your journey may be slightly different: It may not have started with the desire to lose weight or high blood pressure or diabetes or bad cholesterol, BUT I want you to know You are NOT alone. Many adults suffer from Hernias they know nothing about. They are not aware of the symptoms and just think they have stomach viruses and ulcers. If you are living on Maalox or Pepto or Mylanta: I am talking to you. If Nexium and Protonix are not working: I am talking to you. PLEASE get checked out. Have your children checked out. What seems like a small problem may lead to very bad complications later on in life. There is a better way of life available to you. I am and aim to continue being a witness to this fact. Thank you for reading this. Good luck on your Journey. Most importantly, Love yourself ALWAYS.

Went to DR today first visit since surgery down 40 pds he put 4cc in band so now Im a slender 400 pds

After spending the past three months performing the long list of preoperative tasks, yesterday finally arrived. My wife, daughter and I arrived at the hospital at 5:45 am, and soon thereafter I was stripped, gowned, weighed, interrogated (nicely) and injected. The pre-op weigh in showed that I had lost almost 25 lbs. during the previous couple of months since I seriously set my mind to this process. Then a thrilling ride through the corridors to the OR, and lights out. A nice nap for a couple of hours and then awakened to five new holes in my gut, and the smiling faces of my wife and daughter. Some post-op tests over the next few hours to prove I could swallow, void and breathe, and home by 2:30. Not too much discomfort, although sleeping through the night was a lost cause, so I caught up on some late night infomercials and watched a movie on Netflix. Today is better, and I only have a bit of discomfort at one spot on my stomach - presumably where the port is located. Trying to get completely rehydrated by sipping slowly, and building up the courage to give myself the post surgery injections of blood thinner I'm supposed to have. Forward!

In the men's section at Kohl's you can usually get some wearable stuff on the discount racks at 60-80% off. Add that with a coupon and it is a score even if it is for just a short time. On purpose I got a pair of really ugly pants that would feel at home on the golf course 1 size smaller than I am now for about $3.50. Looking forward to wearing them just to get noticed.

Congrats !!!!! I have one more pound to go to have that big "1" to be in front of the other numbers on the scale!!!
It's hard work!!!! Keep up the good work!

Awesome....you look great!!

Have to ask my wife what she says about painting my nails as hunger control!

Face, ankles, and belt line. I had to go down to an old belt when my pants fell down crossing the parking lot!

Awesome....you look great!!

July 26 is my one year bandiversary! 70 lbs down. Best decision I ever made. I feel sooooo much better!

Banded almost 6 months ago and now at a stand still. Bounce back and forth with 2 pounds for a few weeks, then lose 4 or so and start the bounce again. Gets a little tiring, but don't give up. Put on my "big boy" pants, which aren't as big as they were 64 pounds ago, and buck up. Have 2 fills will get 3rd next week and hope to see a darker green. Sort of Lime right now, looking for Forest!

I started the day getting prepped at 6 am and before I knew it I was being wheeled to the car heading home by 8:15 am!! Felt great, wide awake and very happy I made this leap. Pre-surgery jitters? Dozens. Thoughts of backing out? Hundreds! I was lost, confused and full of self-doubt. And let's just say it....I was scared. Complications, death, you name it. What saved my soon-to-be-small butt was reading everyone else's story explaining their surgery from start to finish. It helped me get past the unknown surprises and showed me what to expect. The minute they rolled me in, I was all thumbs up. Anxious, sure. But ready to start my journey!
My wife and two teenage boys (my frogs as I call them) have done a great job making me as comfortable as is possible given the fact that I've just been drugged, stabbed 4 times, prodded, poked, lassoed and stitched in under 2.5 hrs.
But you know what? Aside from the pain tonight, some moderate, some a bit more, it really wasn't bad at all. Would I do it again? Without question. Tonight will be a rough nights sleep, no doubt. But the rewards will far out weigh these little discomforts.
I hope this helped someone? Maybe not. Either way, I'm more than willing to share the specifics of my whole day from the surgery center to my pillow laden bed for recovery. Message me if ever you have a question, fear or panic attack. There are some really good mentors on here and I will NEVER pretend to be as wise as they are. But I am here, for what it's worth.
Congrats to all of us for at least doing something to control our own destiny of sorts. I'm proud of you all!!

I've been a little apprehensive about starting to exercise, however I spoke with a friend last night about something that might help. I downloaded c25k 5k trainer, its free and supposed to take you from couch to being able to do a 5k in some period of time. I am not sure the time period I didn't do that much research on it and after day 1 I'm actually looking forward to day 2. It started out with a 5 min warm up then alternated between 60 sec of jogging and 90 sec or walking (20 min total) then a 5 min cool down for a complete 30 mins. I actually laughed at the app when it said begin running. Instead of running I increased the incline and speed on the treadmill then when it told me to begin walking I dropped it back down. To be honest I didn't think i would make it through the entire 30 mins but I am goal oriented and kept an eye on the timer and kept telling myself to push forward. You also have the option to listen to music while doing it and it will interrupt and tell you to speed up or walk or cool down.

Hi all! I was banded this morning 7/26 and so far I'm feeling great! So thankful!

I am going to purchase some Protein at Walmart today. I came to my boyfriends and forgot my protein... Also finally slept on both my sides last night and woke up with zero back pain.... I mean after over 2 weeks it was about time my poor back got a rest! Still a little gassy but I'd rather that than a sore back anyway. My sides are a little sore but not that bad.... So far down 16 pounds woot woot!!!

The place I notice it most of all is in the airplane.....all the seats on those planes sure are getting larger lately :-)
Ohhh, you meant on me.........My wife says she notices it most in my face and neck. I notice it in my belt. I had to keep closing it one more notch each week, to the point where I had to buy a new smaller belt. Now that new belt is one notch away from being too big too.

Wake up, get out of bed, grab a comb across my head. Oh wait, that's a Beatles song...I start the day with Decaf coffee w/splenda all morning until lunch time. I eat a small lunch and then eat dinner around 7pm. Usually a small snack around 9pm and bed by 11pm. About an hour after I eat I drink nonstop until the next meal. I drink either Water, decaf coffee, or diet decaf tea.

Banded on July11,2013. My journey has begun and feeling great. Feeling changes already. More energy and less pain in my knees. This week I joined the gym and ready to begin with a trainer.

I'm getting excited. Hubby (who is also a bandster from 2 years ago) took me out an got us each a new fitbit (logs your activity, sleep time, calories in and calories out. etc... and he got us the matching scale called the fitbit Aria and we have made a day of figiuring out our new toys, then going to a gym to work out, and out to eat for a cup of Soup each. Then home in an effort to pull our house into the sanctuary we would like tot be when it gets close to our anniversary.
I'm so happy. I love my life

Hi 3mommy! My date is July 31st also!! I've been on PreOp diet for 2 weeks so far. 1 1/2 to go, but my doctor uses the Sugar Busters diet instead of liquid only, so fortunately I get to eat "real" foods. Although I'd assume doing a liquid diet prepares you better for post op. I'm so excited, too!!! We should stay connected to share our experiences. Everyone in this July group is amazing!! Good luck!

So excited for everyone with upcoming surgeries! I wish I would have come on this thread/site before my surgery...it would have really helped.

Good luck! !!!!!

Count me in! Friday the 26th is D-day! Scared to death but looking forward to a better life.

My doctor says I need to get b/t 75 - 100 grams of protein per day & b/t 800 & 1000 calories so I reset the goals on MFP. It took me a bit to figure out how to do it, but it can be done.