beanie80

I planned on it lasting a lifetime, but I had heard that there wasn't much data on it lasting more than 15 years. I am so happy to hear you all have heard lifetime too!! I was just dreading having to replace mine in 15-20 years!!

I'm just curious how long you all have heard that your lap band will last. I have heard that 15 years is max, but I haven't seen any hard evidence. What have you all been told?

Looking good in the lycra! Keep up the good work!

I am happy to say I am now 5 days post-op lap band placement! These last 5 days have been very difficult, but I know it will be worth it in the long run. I've had to deal with a lot of pain issues and my body not agreeing with the pain medication. When I first got home i was taking Lortab 15ml every 3.5 hours. It was all way too much for someone who has never taken pain medication before. My abdomen was huge and swollen, and I was barely able to pee. The first night home was crazy, I was in so much pain and majorly drugged. I felt like I had bugs crawling all over my body and was constantly waking up from being 'stung' by the bugs. I can remember the pain of the stings were like little needles and I couldn't get away from them no matter what I did. My abdomen was also itching like crazy. When I got up in the morning and looked at my stomach I had a bright red, itchy rash from my sternum to my pelvic bone. Apparently I called my surgeon's office (I don't remember calling), and they determined I must have had an allergic reaction to hibicleanse (what they clean your stomach with to sterilize before surgery). Every day has gotten better physically, and I think I'm right on target to where I should be in the healing process. What has been difficult has been the emotional side of lap band. Every time I've been upset about something I've wanted to eat. I haven't cried in years and I have cried now twice in the last 5 days. By taking away my ability to staunch my emotions with food, I have had to deal with my feelings straight on. I knew this would happen, but it doesn't make dealing with it any easier. In a strange way it has been a sort of relief to know that I can still feel things and have emotions. I'm hoping that losing weight/lap band can help me to learn to be more open and vulnerable to other people. I hate admitting that I need other people in my life and that I can't do everything on my own. It makes me vulnerable and open to getting hurt and that is really scary for me. Maybe by taking away some of the fat that I shield myself with I can learn to let other people in again.

Does your surgeon's office have a support group? Mine does and they do cooking classes and help each other to break those bad habits. Might be a good way to help you get back on track. What helps me to stay away from my temptations is asking myself does my body really need this? why do I want this food/drink? I tell myself it is empty calories that my body does not need to function, so why do I feel the need to eat it? I usually figure out it is something emotional behind why I want to eat something like that. Good luck and you are smart to come here and look for support!

I was banded on the 26th of June but took the day off of work on the 25th so I could clean the house and prepare. Boy am I ever glad I did that. I barely got out of bed for the first two days post-op. I still haven't driven myself but have gone out on errands to get out of the house. Everyone is different though. I always say to prepare for the worst, but hope for the best.

It has helped me to feel in control of me, and not feel like I'm being controlled by food. I have control of MY life now, and it gives me the confidence to know that I can do anything I want if I just put my mind to it.

Bonnie I was told I was a cheap date after my lap band! lol. Hope it doesn't get around the hospital

Yogurt is also not a liquid, yet it is listed as ok under full liquids....

I can't find where applesauce is listed in my post-op book under a certain diet. Does anyone know what their docs say? is it under full liquid? pureed? I have been eating it but my sister just pointed out to me it wasn't listed under full liquid diet....I thought it was....

Haven't quite gotten there yet myself. Sometimes I can do a half side for a little bit, but always more comfortable on my back.

I can't take my pain killer anymore, it gives me horrible dreams and makes me crazy. I've been taking liquid tylenol and that seems to help any pain that I have had. I have a follow up appointment with my doc Tuesday morning, but I think I'll call in on Monday just to check in with them. Thanks everyone!

I was banded on the 26th of June. I've been doing really well today, left the house, went for a walk etc. I had a tickle in my throat just a little bit ago and had a coughing fit. WORST PAIN EVER. Felt like my port was being ripped from my body. I grabbed my little pillow, held it to my stomach but it didn't do much to help. Could I have hurt or dislodged my port!? will it always hurt when I cough from here on out? anyone have any tricks or tips to stop it from hurting so much when I cough? That was just a horrible, horrible experience.

Wanted to let the other healthcare providers know I was banded on Wednesday at my hospital! I actually didn't know any of the nurses (that I can remember) but I do remember waking up and demanding to know my bp/hr haha. They told me what my vitals were and I said 'oh, ok, good job team, keep up the good work'. lol. I'm sure they thought I was nuts. I also was asking for an incentive spirometer at one point and asking them to make sure I had SCDs on so I didn't get blood clots, like they didn't know that already. I don't remember any of that though. Has anyone else been banded recently? have any good stories of when you were drugged and trying to direct your medical care??

I think you need to sit her down and ask her why she can't be supportive. I have found that when the people closest to us get scared for us, they can become unsupportive. I'm guessing she is worried and doesn't want anything bad to happen to you. You can always share with her the really low mortality rate with the band and the fact that you already are having medical issues which can kill you if you don't get this disease under control. Is she a big girl? maybe she doesn't want to lose her eating partner....

I have been in my bed since the day of surgery (last wednesday, June 26th). I felt better laying flat on my back in bed than in a chair/recliner. I got a little step stool and have figured out how to step-up, get on the bed on my knees and kind of fall over with my little pillow over my stomach. Sounds kind of ridiculous writing it, but I was proud when I could get into bed by myself haha. Getting out of bed takes a little longer but includes my little pillow over my stomach, some fancy rolls, and my bedside table. You'll figure it out. I think after the first week you will have learned some tricks that work for you. My sister was with me the day I had surgery, but I've been alone during the day since then. I stopped taking my pain meds last night so I can drive, but I'm not quite up to it. I think a week out you should be ok. good luck!

I'm feeling the same way tonight bigoboy. I am sad that I can't yet have the pizza and salad that everyone else is eating tonight. so sad. I'm only 2 days out (June 26th) and I am so sick of shakes and anything at all sweet. I just want some pizza. ugh.

I had trouble peeing too! This may be gross to some people, but I was desperate....it helped me to get in the shower and have the warm water running down my back etc. I was banded on Wednesday and stopped taking my pain meds last night and I've been able to pee a lot easier. Just started getting gas pains today, but they are manageable so far....

Heather I hope they have given you something for your nerves by now! You will do great. You will go to sleep, wake up and it will seem like it only took 5 minutes. The first day is a little rough, but it gets better. As Joy said, take your pain meds regularly! I've also been taking my gas x regularly and haven't had any problems with the gas pain. Good Luck!!

Yay! Pain is manageable, now if only I can pee I can go home!

I'm June 26th....Tomorrow!! Just now seeing this thread. Best of luck to everyone throughout the week, keep us all updated on your progress!

Tomorrow morning at 9:30am eastern time I will be being wheeled into the OR to have my band placed! I'm excited, nervous, and scared. So many jumbled emotions, it is hard to settle on just one. Am I doing the right thing? am I crazy? Is this going to negatively effect other aspects of my health? Is this somehow going to kill me? How am I going to get along without food as my emotional crutch!? My life is, hopefully, going to change a lot and for the better. If you are a praying person, please pray for my surgeons, PA, nurses, and techs to have steady hands and clear minds. Thank God for some Xanax for me!

I am paying for my banding 100% our of pocket. My first bachelors degree was paid for by my parents 100%. I paid for my second bachelors degree and my masters 100% by myself. I really think it depends on the person. My parent's raised me to know how lucky I was to have everything I had and I would be a da*n fool to waste the opportunities I had been given. I worked just as hard for the degree my parents paid for as I did for the 2 subsequent degrees. There are people who pay for their own degrees and p*ss away their time, money and opportunities also. That being said, I think it is about how bad you want it, who you are as a person, and not who writes the check at the end of the day.

Xanax. I'm being banded tomorrow and I've already had one today. My biggest tip for you would be to spend as much time as possible looking over these boards. There are a lot of very helpful, inspiring, and knowledgeable people on here. I have learned more from these boards and the people on here than I did in any of the required group visits of pre-op people at my surgeon's office. Look through the photos section and see how successful people can be with the band. Read the blogs and see how people are doing day to day. Get a buddy or two who are going to be banded on the same day as you, it helps so much to have a friend to talk to about your journey who really understands. Best of luck

Downysoft, those lean cuisines have a ton of sodium and preservatives in them! try making your favorite lean cuisine at home with healthier ingredients, portion it out into Tupperware, and you will have something easy to grab at the end of the day but with one heck of a lot less sodium. Also, what kind of chicken are you buying? if you are buying it in a bag in the frozen foods section, check the sodium intake on the bag. A lot of those frozen bag chickens have a lot of sodium in them too