PrettyThick1

I wasn't ready that fast, I was off a whole week and the first day back was really tough. Everybody is different though...

I only lost 4 lbs. on the preop diet. No worries!

Good luck girlie! See you on the other side!!! Remember...the first three days are the hardest, you'll be okay even if it doesn't feel like it!

It seems like yesterday I was on pins and needles waiting for my surgery and here I am just 18 days out and I've lost 21.5lbs already! Thank God for the lap band, I am so glad I made this decision. I am getting so many compliments already and I'm told I look younger - that was fast!!! My only problem is in getting enough calories, 1200 is tough when you don't ever have an appetite. I haven't gotten my first fill yet either - it's is going to be interesting when I do because the band is working and it's not "turned on" yet. Wow!

Hi had Dr. Reilly and he is awesome! He's funny, very tall and handsome - I might add. I had the same experience with the receptionist in his office, which made me want to change doctors but I found out it would delay my surgery so I kept my appointment with him. I'm glad I did. He did a great job, my incisions are healing well and my band works like a dream. They say there is no "majic pill/cure" I beg to differ, I am so much more successful than I imagined I would be and I'm so happy I did this. Don't be put off by his staff, but let him know your experience with them. I think they are overwhelmed and us barriatric patients are not very patient so we tend to bug people...or at least I know I did until I got my date. Good luck and don't worry, you are in good hands with Dr. Reilly.

FIND ANOTHER PSYCHOLOGIST! I had to complete a 344 question questionnaire as well as answer other questions during my discussion with the Psych. There is no way to determine how mentally fit/prepared you are for this by asking 4 lousy questions! Go a step further and ask for your money back, that was a rip-off!!!

Girl you are doing the dang thang!!! Keep it up, you look great...and very happy by the way!

Sorry to ask this question, but I was wondering if having "loose stools" are the norm for any of you and how long did it last. I've had 2 very watery #2's today and thought this might be the fat I am losing. Any advice?

Can anyone tell me how to determine if you've stretched your pouch or your band has slipped?

Hooray!!!! The band is the most important thing right now, you're going to lose a nice amount without it being filled at first anyway. This gives your body time to heal very well. I am so happy for you!!!

No, if you get the jitters about having the surgery it will happen in the 2-3 days before you go in. Good luck on the preop diet! Is it all liquid or do you get a meal or two a day?

A majority of us questioned if we needed the surgery at one point or another. Yes, the preop diet has you very excited - most people are successful during that time, but you have to ask yourself - "Can I live on the preop diet until I reach my goal?" I can answer that for you - No, you can't. I hate to be a negative nelly, but you have to be honest with yourself: if it were this easy and something that one could sustain, there would be no overweight people in the world. I know I couldn't lose and keep off the weight without real support - I've tried every diet program imagineable, with great (temporary) success. Once I stopped doing what the plan called for - guess what...?

Hey...not so glum chum! You can get back on the bandwagon and win this time! Find a good support group in your area and do the things you did before you started this journey - educate, educate, educate and go to a seminar if you need to, they aren't restricted just to people who haven't gotten the band yet. All you need is a bit of motivation, support and a few hugs. You can do this girl, think positive and make friends on this site. We are here for each other - near or far!

I love the way you phrased it: the band isn't turned on yet. You have made me feel so much better already!!!!

I am so very sorry dear heart! This is devastating and something that I worried about in the back of my mind during the entire ordeal. My job is "safe" but you just never know. Wow. I'm going to pray that he gets an even better job, with more benefits quickly - I don't know if you and your family are religious, but I do know that the God I serve doesn't close a door without having a greater on for you to enter. Yes, this is a setback and my heart breaks for you but please try to keep in mind that everything in life happens for a reason. We don't understand it and yes, it is hard to accept when things don't go our way but I have faith that your dad will get new job and you will get your band soon. Is there anyway to pay for COBRA for the next 30 days, just to get the procedure covered? You can worry about fills later, but for now see if COBRA is an option and if your band is covered under that policy, chances are it is. Keep us posted.

Yes, that's normal. It gets better.

I'm just shy of 2-weeks post-op and am feeling pretty well, infact maybe too well. I cheated throughout the weekend and although I haven't gained any weight, I've stopped losing. I won't disclose what I've done, just a word of advice - the band will not keep you from eating what you want, you have to make the right decisions about what to put into your body. Perhaps my first fill will give me the restrictions I need, but for now I can eat whatever I want and that's not good. It's my fault, but I'm back on the wagon. I guess losing 15lbs. in a week gave me a little bit too much confidence, I should be in onederland right now but I gave in to too many tempations over the weekend. Here is to doing it right.

Finally on the other side and I'm so very happy to be here. Although I felt like I'd made a mistake the first couple of days, I now realize my band is going to be my very best friend. I love not being hungry and seeing such rapid progress when I thought I would be one of the handful of people that the band won't help - I was wrong and so happy to say that I was. I love my band and I am already very happy I made this decision.

Awesome! It will be nice to keep in touch with you, we can offer each other encouragement...well, this site is famous for that anyway.

Tomorrow is the big day for me! Where did the time go? Surgery day advice, please! Thanks everyone!!

I have gotten 90% positive reactions when I tell people about my decision to get the band. Yes, some people are just nosey and I see no harm in telling them. Besides that, True Results has "hired" me as a part-time employee to "recruit" other bandsters. I have to be honest, the money involved is GGGGRRRREEEEEAAAAATTTTT!!! So if you tell you story and the person goes through with it - you could be $500 - $1,000 richer per person. Just a thought. Most of the overweight people I tell usually respond "wow...I want to do that, too..."

You could blame it on your thyroid or galbladder, but my mother always warned us against telling "white lies" regarding our health and that of our family members. I would suggest just saying it's a personal health matter that requires diligence and attention. If they question how you seem to be melting away, let them know that your current health situation required you to make drastic changes in terms of eating and exercise. Don't say it's something that it's not...karma is a mofo and you don't want the thing you blame it on to manifest and actually become an issue.

Way to go!!!! Thanks for the morning inspiration...I hope I feel the same way you all do and am motivated to exercise soon.

I have huge arms that have plagued me my entire life. I'm worried that not even the band is going to get rid of them. Where did you start to lose your weight first? If you had huge arms, how long did it take for them to start to decrease? Are they a normal size now? Date you were banded: Weight before: Current Weight: My surgery is in 2 days and I'm trying to think of all of the questions I haven't asked already or have been able to find the answers to in this forum already. Thanks in advance! GG

I'm down to the wire and wondering if I should take the day off tomorrow, just to get myself together for my surgery on Wednesday. Did you work a full day the day before your surgery?